Carer’s Allowance

louise7728
louise7728 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
in Benefits and income

Please can someone advise me.  My son gets DLA and i am his sole carer, I have a full time job, as i have bills and a mortgage to pay. However, i am a single parent, with only my money coming in - however i do earn more than £132 a week.  I think it's highly unfair that i have to do the two jobs, but because i work, i don't get the carers allowance. 

Is this true in all cases?

You’ll have a good chance of getting Carer’s Allowance if all the following apply:

  • you earn less than £132 a week - i do earn more than this.
  • you get the middle or higher rate of the care component of DLA
  • you spend at least 35 hours a week (total) caring for your child 

Comments

  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    louise7728 said:

    i do earn more than £132 a week.  I think it's highly unfair that i have to do the two jobs, but because i work, i don't get the carers allowance. 

    Is this true in all cases?

    Yes. The legislation prevents CA being paid to those earning more than £132/week (current limit).
    Do you claim Tax Credits?
    If not try using a benefits calculator to see if you could receive Universal Credit. If you have a partner the claim would be calculated on your joint income. You cannot claim if you have (joint) savings over £16,000.

    UC calculation would include standard allowance, child element, disabled child element and you would’ve entitled to the carer element of UC (no earnings limit). If you rent you would also get housing element.

    See https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    Yes it applies to everyone that earns more than £132/week after deductions. 
  • JBS2022
    JBS2022 Scope Member Posts: 2,074 Championing
    Carers Allowance is primarily designed to give an income to people that are unable to work(or work part time or less hours) due to having full time caring responsibilities, that's the reason behind the £132 a week limit.

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