Applying for a Carers Allowance — Scope | Disability forum
Find out how to let us know if you're concerned about another member's safety.
Read our community guidelines and our community house rules.

Applying for a Carers Allowance

System
System Posts: 703

Scope community team
edited October 2021 in Benefits and financial support
This discussion was created from comments split from: Hi, my name is Garry_1!.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Garry_1
    Garry_1 Member Posts: 3 Listener
    Hi everyone.

    I'm soon to apply for a Carers Allowance in order to further look after my Mum.

    I have an occupational pension from my career which exceeds the figure of £120 a week. Will I still be able to apply/qualify?

    Also I wondered how long an application takes before you can get an initial response/verdict?

    Thanks
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Member Posts: 28,607 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi,
    You occupational pension wouldn't stop you claiming Carers Allowance for your mum. However firstly you need to make sure your mum isn't claiming Severe disability premium (£64.30 per week) if she is then you claiming Carers allowance for looking after her would stop the SDP because she would no longer be entitled to it.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • thara
    thara Posts: 49 Connected
    No your pension shouldn’t affect your claim. However I would find out whether or not she is claiming SDP - severe disability premiums first. If they find out she is then they might decide to take away that benefit from her. Once you have found out if she is or not then you can get a copy of the application form. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • curiousmom1996
    curiousmom1996 Posts: 35 Connected
    A quick search revealed that you or the person you are applying for must be receiving middle or higher rate care (higher rate mobility is not enough). It’s worth applying on behalf of your mother. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Member Posts: 28,607 Disability Gamechanger
    curiousmom1996 said:
    A quick search revealed that you or the person you are applying for must be receiving middle or higher rate care (higher rate mobility is not enough). It’s worth applying on behalf of your mother. 
    If the mother is claiming SDP then it won't be worth claiming carers allowance for her because she will lose the SDP.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Member Posts: 28,607 Disability Gamechanger
    thara said:
     If they find out she is then they might decide to take away that benefit from her.
    They check what is being claimed before awarding the benefit. A person can't claim SDP if someone is claiming carers allowance for looking after them.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mikehughescq
    mikehughescq Posts: 8,847 Connected
    poppy123456 said:
    thara said:
     If they find out she is then they might decide to take away that benefit from her.
    They check what is being claimed before awarding the benefit. A person can't claim SDP if someone is claiming carers allowance for looking after them.
    Not true. They ask but don’t check. Consequently there are regular overpayments of SDP all the time.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Brightness

Categories

Complete our feedback form and tell us how we can make the community better.

Do you need advice on your energy costs?


Scope’s Disability Energy Support service is open to any disabled household in England or Wales in which one or more disabled people live. You can get free advice from an expert adviser on managing energy debt, switching tariffs, contacting your supplier and more. Find out more information by visiting our
Disability Energy Support webpage.