Looking after Dad

[racy tracy]

I am thinking about giving up, so that I can look after my dad. His health is detiorating very quickly every day, and my mum is finding it increasingly difficult to cope when im out at work Does anybody know what benefits I would be allowed to claim (if any), bearing in mind that I am giving up a perfectly good job? I want to be there to help him as much as I can, after all he has looked after me all my life, so now its my turn to look after him

[estellyn]

Does your dad get any benefits - for instance DLA, AA etc, if so at what rates?

[racy tracy]

yes, my dad gets AA at the higher rate.

[estellyn]

Does anyone claim carers allowance for looking after him?

[racy tracy]

no, because my mum and dad are both in receipt of their pensions, they will not pay carers allowance aswell.

[estellyn]

If you give up your job, will you have any income or savings/investments etc?

 

If not then you could claim carer's allowance and income support as a carer. Check that your mother isn't getting an underlying entitlement to carers allowance and getting a carers premium on any pension credit they receive.

[racy tracy]

no i wont have any income, and i do not have savings or investments. My mum isnt getting underlying entitlement to carers allowance and she doesnt get carers premium and neither my mum or dad do not get pension credit.

[estellyn]

no i wont have any income, and i do not have savings or investments. My mum isnt getting underlying entitlement to carers allowance and she doesnt get carers premium and neither my mum or dad do not get pension credit.

 

so yes, you'll be able to claim carers allowance and income support as a carer.

[Slatted]

no, because my mum and dad are both in receipt of their pensions, they will not pay carers allowance aswell.

 

I assume that this comment meant that they were both wanting to be seen as Carers for each other? If that is the case then they would not have been eligible, however, should you wish to fulfill a Carer role for your father it is likely to be allowed for you.

[racy tracy]

well my mum doesnt really need careing for (not in that way anyway), and she did enquire about claiming Carers Allowance for looking after my dad, but because she gets a pension, and that is classed as a benefit, they wont pay Carers Allowance aswell, and their income is over the threshold for Pension Credit, so thats why they dont get that either. I live with my mum and dad, (currently have another thread open regarding Council Tax Benefit), so would I be entitled to Income Support as well as Carers Allowance?

[Nystagmite]

Yes. Your parents claim benefits as a couple. If you're in a relationship with someone, you make a couple claim. If you're single, you make a single claim. Your claim has nothing to do with your parents claim.

[racy tracy]

ok thanks for that, il certainly look into and see if its is do-able.......many thanks for your help