Carers allowance?

Question

I have been looking after my dad since February, after him being involved in a car accident. He is in the process of claiming disability living allowance/attendance allowance.

Although he is slowly getting back on his feet, I do most of the work around the house - cooking & cleaning for him, doing the weekly shop etc.

I understand that I may be able to claim Carers Allowance, however, will this automatically be assumed/calculated through his application for DLA, or will I have to apply for this seperately? There were sections in his application detailing who is looking after him/how much he is capable of doing himself etc.

I think that his DLA gets backdated so long as his application is successful, but the carer's allowance will only be backdated 3 months. Do I need to wait until he is awarded DLA before I can claim carer's allowance, as if his application is not successful, then I doubt I will be entitled to it?

also - my name is heatherUK1984 - and surprisingly enough I live in the UK - thought that it might've been obvious which country I am in, but apparently not.

Answer 1

hi there you cnt claim carers untill the dla is awarded for your dad but you have been miss informed about the carers being backdated only by 3 months believe me honey it goes alot further back, i just done all my friends paper work on this and we got her carers allowance back dated to the date her son claimed dla as she was his carer from then also..which was over 10 months .... when your dad gets awarded they will give him a date it started from and then you can claim carers from that point also... if you have any problems with this let me know at [e-mail] and i will gladly give you some advice.....

by the way my friend recieved £1600.00 back from carers because of me knowing what i was doing....

good luck with this hun and let me know how u get on pls as interested in what they advise you ??????

by the way i am on dla and have been for over 5 yrs now and believe me they change the rules constantly but you should be able to get this without a problem or any misguidance form anyone.....


from ericaxxx

Answer 2

To receive Carers Allowance your dad will need to be receiving DLA at middle or higher rate care, you need to apply separately & can collect a form from Jobcentre. You also need to be caring for him a minimum of 35 hrs pwk & if working earning less than approx £84pwk, sorry can't remember exact amount.

Just a note regarding DLA these forms are horrible to complete & don't do justice to the disability/illness of those claiming. I completed my mum's approx 5 yrs ago she was knocked back, so I appealed again knocked back so I took it to tribunal. Within 5 mins of attending this they decided she was entitled to higher rate care & mobility & had it all backed dated to when she 1st claimed DLA.

I work in a Jobcentre & my advise to everyone who claims DLA is take to tribunal every time, the 1st two decisions are made by officers with no medical background but at the tribunal they had doctors who knew about the effects of my mum's disability & they could see the serverity of it & how it had changed her life.

Good luck with your claim

Answer 3

hi there careers allowance is seperate i am waiting to hear about mine ... I waited until i got confimation that my son got dla and then applied straight away .. wait until the dla decision has been made and the claim for carers as there is a rule that if done within i believe 10 days they have to backdate from the date dla was first awarded .. if you have worked in the last six months keep your final wage slip as they will need this mines been going on for five months it is a long wait he must put in who cares for him as this states his mobilty is not so good there are two compents to dla moblity and disabilty

Answer 4

I'm sure you have to apply for carers allowance seperately as its a seperate benefit. If applying you should really do it soon as i dont think they will back-date application for you. Phone up local office dealing with DLA and they should help you through the process.

Answer 5

have a look at http://www.dwp.gov.uk follow the instructions for carers allowance then ring 0800882200 say you need to speak to someone about carers allowance, you will then be able to ask and receive good sound advise, get an application form and when you get it ,ring them back if you encounter any problems.
l, have found thro' experience that your claim will only count from the day you applied, however, it might be worth asking if they could back-date it from February.
hope this helps, good luck

Answer 6

You will have to apply separately but as your dad is getting DLA it should just be a formality that you will get carers allowance

Answer 7

I think you have to claim separately. My dad is my mums carer and he didn't get an allowance until the social visited due to mum needing equipment. She had been classed as disabled for a couple of years prior to that.

Answer 8

You should be able to claim, the only problem is you must keep on at them.
When my father broke his hip and being 84 he is bed bound, it took me 4 months.
If I`d have known I would have got hold of age concern much earlier they were brilliant. And they give you very good legal advice and it`s free..! good luck.

Answer 9

it is all calculated in one claim and then
he pays you. DLA. carers allowance
and income support £I80 PLUS a week

Answer 10

UK - you have to apply separately, its only around £15+ per week