Carers Allowance (UK Info)

[Gazrobs]

All,

I was sent the excerpt below from a disabled friend who takes a magazine so FYI  & for us we didn't know about this until last year so we even claim carers allowance for Hev due to all the assistance she provides & I'm not independant. Anyhow, hopefully it's useful to some of you if you didn't know. FYI, all we did was apply to the council I think for a form & then some proof etc I think but it was easy & £46.95 per week is no small amount IMO. We used our initiative & factored in all cleaning/cooking/gardening & everything I can't do in the house too.

"Carers allowance amounts to £46.95 a week for those caring for at least 35 hours. An estimated £660 million go unclaimed every year by carers it is estimated.  Carer premiums are not a benefit in their own right, they are simply an additional top up to other means tested benefits which you may or may not get.

Carers are also entitled to an assessment too which analyses your needs (only if you want)

Carers rights 0808 808 7777
www.carersuk.org

There are other discounts/benefits/grants too which most don’t know about and there appears to be a lot of unsung/silent carers out there.

Article was apparently in this months able magazine but not yet on their web  www.ablemagazine.co.uk"

[Andy]

just as a footnote it was always a condition that :-

if the carer works (other work, not caring) more than sixteen hours a week then the allowance can't be claimed

[russ]

It would appear that the 16 hr rule has been changed to not earning more than £84 per week.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/CaringForSomeone/MoneyMatters/MoneyArticles/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=10012522&chk=kAko1j

[Andy]

thanks for that update  Russ