Can I claim carers allowance for my disabled partner and she claim for me?

mendipmark

I get pip (both elements), my partner gets pension income guarantee credit, housing benefit, pip, council tax benefit, pension. She gets elements for me. We claim disabled extras already.

[Deleted User]

so are you saying you claim pip for both daily living and mobility as intended for support as your co dition qualifies and recognises you need help daily ? yet you are in a position to give help to a disabled person with their daily needs? wow!  i dont understand how that is possible

mendipmark

Yes. Yes it is possible. Im not confined to a wheelchair.

[Deleted User]

i just thought pip was paid to help the disabled pay for extra help that their disability meant they needed to manage daily living ....guess i was wrong

mendipmark

If we are both disabled but can do different things for each other that otherwise would need a carer why shouldnt that attract carers allowance anyway? As long as the claim is legitimate in need terms why not. With esa and dla this dual carers claim was allowed so I am wondering if this was possible under pip.

Firefly123

If getting a state pension then normally not. I'm sure others will have better advice 

poppy123456

Hi,

You say you already get disability extras in the pension credit? This sounds like you could both already be claiming the severe disability premium (couples rate) which is £128.60 per week. As you both claim a qualifying benefit then you're eligible for this on top of the pension credit. Have a look at the breakdown of the pension credit to see exactly how much you're claiming and if the SDP is included. If it is then you can't claim Carers allowance as well as this because a claim for carers allowance would mean you'll lose the SDP and SDP couples rate is more than if you both claimed carers allowance for each other.

poppy123456

vickyanne said:

so are you saying you claim pip for both daily living and mobility as intended for support as your co dition qualifies and recognises you need help daily ? yet you are in a position to give help to a disabled person with their daily needs? wow!  i dont understand how that is possible

Yes they can. I claim carers allowance for my daughter and i also claim PIP. We both claim PIP for completely different reasons and her claim isn't for a physical disability. I look after her in other ways that don't include physical things. She's more than capable for washing/dressing and walking.

wilko

You can only apply and see if you get awarded Carer’s allowance for you both, good luck with your application.

poppy123456

wilko said:

You can only apply and see if you get awarded Carer’s allowance for you both, good luck with your application.

That would not be advised if they're both claiming the SDP on top of the pension credit because they would lose it if they were. The disabled extras could mean this as there's no other disability extras with pension credit.

mendipmark

Thanks everyone

Debs55

My husband claims carers for me I'm on enhanced mobility, standard care (from enhanced) for pip.
His pip increased to enhanced care on his recent review and he was already on enhanced mobility. He is no longer able to care for me. How do I cancel this? Worried about losing the money but want yo do the right thing. Any advice? I'm medically retired from the NHS and that money stopped his income esa which is why his esa money was lost hence claiming carers. 

poppy123456

Debs55 said:

My husband claims carers for me I'm on enhanced mobility, standard care (from enhanced) for pip.
His pip increased to enhanced care on his recent review and he was already on enhanced mobility. He is no longer able to care for me. How do I cancel this? Worried about losing the money but want yo do the right thing. Any advice? I'm medically retired from the NHS and that money stopped his income esa which is why his esa money was lost hence claiming carers. 

Your husband needs to ring carers allowance to cancel the claim. I'm assuming you're receiving a works pension which is why your husbands ESA stopped?

Once the carers allowance stops i'd advise a visit to your local CAB for a full benefits check. You'll be able to give them all of your details as a couple and they'll be able to advise you about what benefits you can claim, if any. It's impossible to advise this on an internet forum.

Debs55

Yes you are right I did get work pension which is why his esa stopped. Thanks for the advice I will go and see cab and stop.carers. I appreciate your help. 

mikehughescq

Let’s just clarify a couple of things which are wrong here.

1 - as regards the OP. If the OP and their partner get PC including double SDP then it’s likely they will be getting state retirement pensions. If both were to claim CA then it would overlap with the SRP so no CA would be payable but there would be an underlying entitlement to CA. That underlying entitlement to CA means that not only would SDP not cease but double Carers Premium would be payable. 

2 - as regards the recent post from @Debs55 it is not possible nor legal to “cancel” a benefit. There is simply no legal provision for them to do that. You can advise them that there has been a change of circumstances and they can revise the decision so as to end entitlement. That’s a very different thing legally and could matter further down the line. 

One thing to clarify though. You say he can no longer care. Do you mean that he physically can’t do it any longer or just that you believe he’s not allowed to claim CA because of his PIP rate? 

Debs55

His health has deteriorated and he now gets enhanced care. But also I was concerned that having pip and being a carer could cause a problem with his pip claim. That's why I thought I should advise them of a change . To say he can't care for me anymore. I've never claimed care for looking after him. 

mikehughescq

Having PIP and being a carer is not automatically a problem and there’s so,e very clear and precise case law around this. I would strongly advise you to get face to face advice on this before you notify DWP of anything as there may be no need. 

poppy123456

I claim PIP for myself and carers allowance for looking after my daughter. I have a physical disability my daughter has autism and a learning disability. My daughter doesn't need any physical help because she's completely mobile and it hasn't gone against my claim. Claiming carers allowance with a PIP claim is possible.

mendipmark

Thanks all. The rules are so blooming complex even some in the DWP dont understand. Its now possible to do degree in it.

Have a good and trouble free new year.