Can Someone In Full Time Employment Claim 'carer's Allowance'

[sandyRoe]

?

[EDDIE51]

You can only earn £100 a week or they take reduce your carers allowance by £1 for every extra £1 you earn so if you work full time it is pointless claiming it.

[sandyRoe]

OK. Thanks, Eddie51

[Tilly2]

I don't understand how you can be a carer if you're out at work all day.

[sandyRoe]

If someone was doing the caree's shopping, helping them around the house, providing some company, they wouldn't necessarily be doing that 24-7.

[Tilly2]

I see, Sandy. I thought you had to be a full time carer to get the allowance. Obviously not.

[ummmm]

Some kids are carers and they go to school each day.

[Tilly2]

Yes, ummmm. I get it now that I have woken up. :-)

[bednobs]

you have to be caring for a substantial amount of time a week (i think it's something like 40 hours) to get carers allowance. shopping/cleaning doesnt really count. does the caree get attendance allowance? if so, it is there to pay for stuff like that and the caree could give the carer that money

[bednobs]

ps, school children can't get carers allwance

[ummmm]

I'm not saying they can. Just that many are carers.

[THECORBYLOON]

The "Best Answer" is wrong. The limit is £102 after allowable deductions and here is no pound for pound deduction for earnings over £102.

Care must be provided for at least thirty-five hours each week so that means you can work Monday-Friday, provide care only at weekends and qualify still.

[Daffy6543]

You have to care for the disabled person for 38 hours per week minimum, so you would still be able to look after your own family, or have a job, although as stated you have to earn below £100 per week.
The disabled person also has to be in receipt of DLA care component at middle or higher rate.

[THECORBYLOON]

Sorry but you are not correct about the hours or earnings.

[bednobs]

the dla thing isn't right either. you can be getting attendance allowance

[EDDIE51]

Corby I get carers allowance and I was told that after the earnings limit they deduct the same amount as the extra from the allowance. It was £100 a week when I started to get it must have gone up by £2. I work for an agency so I have to make sure I earn under the limit. Often turn down work to be sure I do not earn too much.
It was a DWP case worker who told me earnings over the limit would be deducted £ for £, her exact words were '' no point earning more , we will take it straight off you'' Is that wrong?

[THECORBYLOON]

EDDIE, the advice you were given is incorrect. From the government website,

"You might be able to get Carer’s Allowance if all of the following apply:

you’re 16 or over
you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone
have been in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years
you normally live in England, Scotland or Wales, or you live abroad as a member of the armed forces
you’re not in full time education or studying for more than 21 hours a week
you earn less than £102 a week (after taxes, care costs while you’re at work and 50% of what you pay into your pension)"

The earnings can be averaged in some circumstances, for example if there are irregular payments but if the earnings exceed £102 after allowable deductions, the allowance is not payable.

[DaisyNonna]

Tilly, I cared for my father, cooked for him, fed him, did his washing, shopped, dealt with most things, visited in my lunch break, after work, all day at weekends, held down a job. Reliant on public transport or taxis. No remuneration.

[EDDIE51]

Corby that is what I was told. The bit that is in question is what happens if your earnings go over the £102. I was told they take it off you by reducing the carers allowance. Is that true? if not what happens?

[hc4361]

If you earn more than £102 after care costs, tax and half of your pension contribution you cannot came carer's allowance.

The carer's allowance is a measly £61.35 a week and is taxable. If you get any other benefits you may lose out £1 for £1.

[EDDIE51]

Yes 35 hours for £61.35 a week that works out at £1.75 an hour! against the minimum wage of £6.50 an hour. If i stop doing my wife's care she is going to need a paid carer and that will be a lot more than £1.75 an hour.