claiming DLA when still caring for someone else

What about sitting down, taking your time, and writing out a typical week, working out what care you give and what you receive. Are you still doing 35 hours care a week? What sort of care is it?

What are your care needs? Are they such that you can get DLA for them? Are they enough that you can get DLA for them?

What about how things will be in future? From what you say, it seems entirely plausible that the amount of care you are providing now is more than you will be providing, say, next year or even earlier.

If you are still providing the care, but you also qualify for DLA, apply for it, following the guides on here, and being very specific about the sort of care you need.

Then when you are no longer providing 35 hours care, you can stop claiming CA.

My gut feeling is that it might be worth mentioning that you provide care but that this is different from the care that you need yourself and does not clash with your care needs, but I think you would be best off getting some face to face advice about that, unless one of my fellow mods can advise?

Sooty1 wrote:

Thanx for all your replies. I would be ok about giving up my Carer's allowance dependent on what rate DLA I am awarded(if any and when) but in the meantime I need to live and pay what bills I can so I feel stuck. Any suggestions how I can best deal with this problem?

Our local Social Services Welfare Rights Officer helped us.

Is there a Carers Association in your area they are realy good.

Not just for helping claim benefits but also with practical help and guidance.

What worries me is if I stop claiming CA now..and don't get DLA or at only lower rate I would be financially worse off and I cannot do that I am sinking fast already.I know my neurological condition is unlikely to improve so of course my caring may well have to cease or at least be less. I did phone the Carers Wales line earlier..explained my probs and asked for their opinion..they said as long as my father is in my presence for 35 hours a week..I do not necessarily need to be as hands on as I was and to claim both..but given your replies I can see the arguements DLA could well use. How do I deal with this..I cannot afford to be without income...being ill myself now..my costs have risen substantially already..but i don't want to get into trouble either?

Sooty1 wrote:

What worries me is if I stop claiming CA now..and don't get DLA or at only lower rate I would be financially worse off and I cannot do that I am sinking fast already.I know my neurological condition is unlikely to improve so of course my caring may well have to cease or at least be less. I did phone the Carers Wales line earlier..explained my probs and asked for their opinion..they said as long as my father is in my presence for 35 hours a week..I do not necessarily need to be as hands on as I was and to claim both..but given your replies I can see the arguements DLA could well use. How do I deal with this..I cannot afford to be without income...being ill myself now..my costs have risen substantially already..but i don't want to get into trouble either?

the problems you have and could have are not nice but dla was never supposed to be income but extra funds


the postion you have set out, makes me think you should be looking at ESA and its possible that if your un lucky are are very sick you would get in the support group so be btter off than getting CA, and from that postion you would have a case of getting dla too


did you claim CA so as not having to claim JSA ?

Hi S,

You don't need to stop claiming Carers Allowance now. Best to wait the outcome of your own DLA claim, which could, due to a backlog of work with DLA new claims could take several months to process.

When you've received a decision on your DLA claim, just post again, and we'll do our best to assist you.

Good luck.

Jim

Sooty1 wrote:

What worries me is if I stop claiming CA now..and don't get DLA or at only lower rate I would be financially worse off and I cannot do that I am sinking fast already.I know my neurological condition is unlikely to improve so of course my caring may well have to cease or at least be less. I did phone the Carers Wales line earlier..explained my probs and asked for their opinion..they said as long as my father is in my presence for 35 hours a week..I do not necessarily need to be as hands on as I was and to claim both..but given your replies I can see the arguements DLA could well use. How do I deal with this..I cannot afford to be without income...being ill myself now..my costs have risen substantially already..but i don't want to get into trouble either?

Is there a local carers Association near you. We have Neath Port Talbot Carers Association.

Just Google 'Carers Association' with your area in front.

Contact your local one and arrange a vist with them. They will call to your home if needed.