Carer's Allowance help required.

DREL

I suffer mental and physical health conditions, receiving the highest rate PIP daily living and mobility components.

In June 2024 my (non-resident) carer realised that she would be eligible to apply for Carer's Allowance because she consistently puts in more than the 35 hours per week for the year or so she has been helping me, so she applied and backdated the claim to March 2024 as that was the 3-months maximum.

The DWP rejected her claim citing no documentation received - but my carer had sent the documents recorded so we could prove they had been delivered - the DWP admitted receipt but said no one had actually looked at the documents before rejecting her claim. My carer asked for a mandatory reconsideration but was then told that there is no time limit on a MR case and it's "ongoing".

In October 2024, my carer was advised to put in a new claim, but write in the extra info that she has a MR in and that they would decide on the new claim within the 12 weeks and automatically extend to cover the original claim.

January 2025 rolled by and the DWP said that, as the 12 weeks had passed, they could no longer respond to the new claim under their rules, so the new claim would have to go to "Second Opinion".

It is now March 2025, 1 year from the start of the backdated claim, and the DWP just repeats the same spiel of "The is no time limit" and "Wait for a response".

The claim has been escalated, the delay has been formally complained about (twice) and the DWP will still not respond.

I have spoken to Carers UK, local council carer's units, Voicability and emailed several diabled charities but get told each time that they do not offer representation against the DWP.

I am now suffering greater ill-health due to the stress this is imposing upon me, as my designated carer is unable to visit as often because she's been financially supporting her care services for over a year with no reimbursement and I have had other carers refuse to provide services due to the DWP refusing to decide on my carer's allowance.

Does anyone know what we can do or who offers services to represent us with the DWP?

DREL

*Note, my carer is still providing the 35 hours mandatory care per week, but this is reduced from what she used to offer and a lot more of the care she offers is now distance-support through telephone calls or text messages etc whereas she used to either visit my home daily or have me visit her daily.

Kimi87

I'd recommend your carer contact her MP.

DREL

She has emailed once, last year during the first application, but not had a response yet. I may ask her if she is prepared to email a second time.

Thank you.

mix_dage

Hi @DREL
How strange, Carer's allowance is usually very swift. So I’m wondering if current carer classed as NRPF? As she won’t be entitled to CA if so.

https://www.nrpfnetwork.org.uk/information-and-resources/rights-and-entitlements/benefits-and-housing-public-funds/benefits/benefits-that-are-not-public-funds

Do you current get SDP on your ESA? As this will be deducted from your benefits if she applies and gets carers allowance. It’s the same amount, so you could consider paying her this amount. (You need to safeguard your position for benefits with possible migration to UC and potential government changes) do a benefits check online and get advice from welfare rights, before using this route.

Have you had a care assessment from social services, if not perhaps it will be a better starting point, you will probably need to contribute towards a care package but it would mean you could employ a carer, (if they have permitted right to work) and pay them the rate the LA allow, or let SS provide carers directly.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/right-to-work-in-the-uk/check-if-you-have-the-right-to-work-in-the-uk/

I’m simply thinking outside the box being a full time carer myself and dealing with 2 other family members who have SS care packages in place, having managing those packages and care teams

DREL

@mix_dage

My carer has no restrictions on Public Funds, she is not subject to any limitations in this regard and is in receipt of Universal Credit as well as Child Benefits etc.

I do not receive the Severe Disablement Premium of ESA, but I receive the lifetime award in the Support Group because I had been working for more than two years prior to claiming ESA in its old state. I also receive Universal Credit in the NRWRAG, however they subtract my ESA award from my UC claim so that I am not double-benefited.

I have a council supplied Social Support Worker, however they do not offer care services and will not represent any claim towards the DWP beyond assisting in completing forms - a service my carer already fulfils for me. The Social Support Workers in my area only assist in representations to the council regarding housing matters or benefits etc and will signpost to other organisations as required.

I cannot afford to pay privately for a carer, after utilities and rent (including bedroom tax because the housing association will not rehome me into a smaller property) is removed from my UC and ESA payment I am afforded approximately £140 for 4 weeks.

mix_dage

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1006766#Comment_1006766

Thanks for info, if she has UC claim, I would guess that’s putting a spanner in works, but I’m not sure why.
hopefully someone else can chip in with the UC side of things.

Having a support social worker isn’t the same as having a full care assessment.
Request a care assessment, having one will help with adaptions you may need and or possibly moving to a more suitable smaller property.

As well as duel claim UC LCWRA & NS ESA you get HR care and mobility PIP. Do you live alone?
Have you done a benefit calculation?

https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

As to who will help your carer with progressing her issue with DWP CA her MP.
Contact them through this link

https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/contact-your-mp/
She will need to follow it up if she doesn’t get a response. My MP's secretary or office manager responds for further information very promptly. Once all information requested is received it’s usually a few weeks max for an outcome.

Best wishes.