Help

Hi Debbzz,

I'm really sorry but you can't get carer's allowance if you earn more than £116 a week - and working full-time, you will do.

It sounds as if your husband is getting all the benefits he's entitled to, unless you think he should be getting the mobility component too? You can ask your local council for an assessment to see if there's any help you can get to care for him. You could have a look at this Carers UK guide to check if there's anything else you are missing out on.

I'd recommend giving their helpline a ring as well. From what you say, because you work full-time I'm not sure there are any other benefits you are entitled to, but you could check Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit (if you pay rent) and Council Tax Reduction. You could use the calculator to check if you're missing anything. (In some areas of the country, tax credits and housing benefit have been replaced by universal credit for new claimants, but just put your postcode in and the calculator will do the rest).

You could consider asking for a reduction in hours from your employer. Everyone is entitled to ask, and as a carer you have a particularly good reason. Obviously if you work fewer hours you'll get less in earnings but that might open up some benefits to you. The £116 limit in carer's allowance is net by the way (so it's after deductions such as tax, national insurance and half of contributions to a pension scheme).

If you want advice about asking your employer for reduced hours you could ring the charity Working Families.

I'm sorry that I can't immediately see any money that you're missing out on but do consider talking through your options with an adviser; sometimes going part-time can help with your energy levels and you can make up at least some of the money with benefits depending on your income and hours of work.

Will