When do I apply for Carers Allowance?

ButterflyKu · 2024-07-04T19:12:11+00:00

Posting for traffic! I’m facing redundancy at work and I wondered how soon after being made redundant, can I apply for Carers Allowance? Can I apply on my last day of work? Or do I wait until I receive my last payslip? DD has been accepted to use 30 funded hours at a new nursery school starting this September so losing my job has really messed things up! Slightly panicking so wondered what I need to do to ensure this goes as smoothly as possible. Will it be as simple as being made redundant, apply for CA, accepted for CA, claim the 30 hours funded code from GOV and she can start in September? Or am I being slightly naive here. Helpppp

2G00d2G000000 · 08/10/2024 15:43

The day after redundancy, you can apply for contributions based job seekers allowance.

Truegum · 08/10/2024 15:20

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BrumToTheRescue · 05/07/2024 09:57

It's the most flexible job I've ever known

Not when you are also an unpaid carer to 2 disabled DC, it isn’t.

Jobsworths · 05/07/2024 00:16

DragonFly98 · 05/07/2024 00:13

I did read it, but why suggest she becomes a carer it's an exploitative underpaid job and not at all flexible.

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It is the complete opposite of everything you've just said. You've clearly never been a carer. It's the most flexible job I've ever known and well paid in comparison to other part time jobs such as retail, hospitality and teaching assistants.

DragonFly98 · 05/07/2024 00:13

Jobsworths · 04/07/2024 23:20

If you'd read the thread you'll see I mean caring as a job 🤦‍♀️ not her own children.

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I did read it, but why suggest she becomes a carer it's an exploitative underpaid job and not at all flexible.

BrumToTheRescue · 04/07/2024 23:28

Caring as a job isn’t actually so easy or flexible when you are a carer to 2 disabled DC.

Jobsworths · 04/07/2024 23:20

DragonFly98 · 04/07/2024 23:14

What! The op is a carer fur her children. It's not her career.

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If you'd read the thread you'll see I mean caring as a job 🤦‍♀️ not her own children.

DragonFly98 · 04/07/2024 23:14

Jobsworths · 04/07/2024 23:07

Caring is the most flexible job out there and usually the highest paid for a part time/zero hours type job. Good luck!

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What! The op is a carer fur her children. It's not her career.

Original poster

ButterflyKu · 04/07/2024 23:13

DragonFly98 · 04/07/2024 23:08

You can apply for the code now while you are working. You have a 3- 4 month grace period. Your 30 free hours do not stop straight away. Apply now and it won't run out until December 31st.

Edited

Thank you, I actually tried to apply for it today. The system wouldn’t let me as I still have the code for the 15 hours which she’s currently using. When I reconfirm my details next month, I’ll be able to apply! It’s reassuring to know about the grace period though, that’s definitely a relief that the hours aren’t taken from your straight away

OP posts:

DragonFly98 · 04/07/2024 23:12

Look at this link ( it's the same for the whole of England)

st-josephs.islington.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/30-Hours-Free-Childcare.pdf

DragonFly98 · 04/07/2024 23:08

You can apply for the code now while you are working. You have a 3- 4 month grace period. Your 30 free hours do not stop straight away. Apply now and it won't run out until December 31st.

Jobsworths · 04/07/2024 23:07

ButterflyKu · 04/07/2024 23:05

Oh yes because it’s oh so easy to find a job, especially one that fits around the lives of not one, but TWO disabled children. If you bothered to read the full thread, you’d see that I said I’m going to try and find a job by the time the grace period ends.

If claiming CA would have made me eligible for the 30 funded hours then I would have done that automatically. It’s difficult enough caring for both children let alone throwing work into the mix. Thanks for the advice though

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Caring is the most flexible job out there and usually the highest paid for a part time/zero hours type job. Good luck!

Original poster

ButterflyKu · 04/07/2024 23:05

Jobsworths · 04/07/2024 22:59

Just get a new job in time? I don't see why you are waiting to claim benefits when you could be filling that time to get a new job thus making you eligible for the 30 free hours?

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Oh yes because it’s oh so easy to find a job, especially one that fits around the lives of not one, but TWO disabled children. If you bothered to read the full thread, you’d see that I said I’m going to try and find a job by the time the grace period ends.

If claiming CA would have made me eligible for the 30 funded hours then I would have done that automatically. It’s difficult enough caring for both children let alone throwing work into the mix. Thanks for the advice though

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ViaRia01 · 04/07/2024 23:04

@ButterflyKu Ah, right, I understand. I (quite clearly) don’t know about all this so my question was sincere.

DragonFly98 · 04/07/2024 23:03

redalex261 · 04/07/2024 22:36

Thanks, @BrumToTheRescue I saw that but what I’m now wondering (on the basis of that rule) is if a couple with one full time worker and one not working or claiming anything - they still get 30 hours? Effectively one adult in the household must work full time (regardless of one or two adult household) in order to get the 30 hours. You would think both would have to be working to qualify to make this situation fair to non-working lone parents.

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No because the 30 hours are so all adults in the household can work.if you are a carer then you are not available to provide childcare for the working parent.

TwoBlueFish · 04/07/2024 23:02

You can apply as soon as you leave your job. It takes 4-6 weeks generally to get sorted and they might not start your award for the first month as they expect your last pay check to cover that (at least that’s what they did to me many years ago)

Jobsworths · 04/07/2024 22:59

ButterflyKu · 04/07/2024 22:23

My post is very confusing I know, sorry about that.

DD is meant to use 30 hours of funding to start nursery. All 3 and 4 year olds get 15 hours but to get 30 hours, you need to meet the criteria in order to be eligible. With a job, I meet the criteria, without a job, I don’t.

When writing this post, I thought that if I claimed CA then I’d be eligible for the 30 funded hours. However, as I’m a single parent, I won’t be eligible. It’s just about getting my head around all the different rules!

This post is less about CA and more towards being eligible for the 30 funded hours, sorry for the confusion

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Just get a new job in time? I don't see why you are waiting to claim benefits when you could be filling that time to get a new job thus making you eligible for the 30 free hours?

redalex261 · 04/07/2024 22:56

thanks @BrumToTheRescue ! Bloody minefield! 🤪

Original poster

ButterflyKu · 04/07/2024 22:41

BrumToTheRescue · 04/07/2024 22:40

No, they wouldn’t. That poster is asking if they get 30hours is only one is working and the other isn’t and doesn’t receive one of the qualifying benefits.

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Oops misread the question, simple mistake to make!

OP posts:

BrumToTheRescue · 04/07/2024 22:40

ButterflyKu · 04/07/2024 22:38

is if a couple with one full time worker and one not working or claiming anything - they still get 30 hours?

@redalex261 they will still get 30 hours, yes. I’ve posted a screenshot above which lists all the other ways parents get the funded 30 hours

No, they wouldn’t. That poster is asking if they get 30hours is only one is working and the other isn’t and doesn’t receive one of the qualifying benefits.

BrumToTheRescue · 04/07/2024 22:39

redalex261 · 04/07/2024 22:36

Thanks, @BrumToTheRescue I saw that but what I’m now wondering (on the basis of that rule) is if a couple with one full time worker and one not working or claiming anything - they still get 30 hours? Effectively one adult in the household must work full time (regardless of one or two adult household) in order to get the 30 hours. You would think both would have to be working to qualify to make this situation fair to non-working lone parents.

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A couple where only one is working (and earning enough to meet the threshold) and the other isn’t working and isn’t in receipt of CA (or another qualifying benefit) does not qualify for 30 hours.

Original poster

ButterflyKu · 04/07/2024 22:38

is if a couple with one full time worker and one not working or claiming anything - they still get 30 hours?

@redalex261 they will still get 30 hours, yes. I’ve posted a screenshot above which lists all the other ways parents get the funded 30 hours

OP posts:

redalex261 · 04/07/2024 22:36

BrumToTheRescue · 04/07/2024 22:24

@redalex261 as I have posted, a couple with one working and one not working but in receipt of CA receives 30 free hours.

Thanks, @BrumToTheRescue I saw that but what I’m now wondering (on the basis of that rule) is if a couple with one full time worker and one not working or claiming anything - they still get 30 hours? Effectively one adult in the household must work full time (regardless of one or two adult household) in order to get the 30 hours. You would think both would have to be working to qualify to make this situation fair to non-working lone parents.

Original poster

ButterflyKu · 04/07/2024 22:31

I’ve finally been able to look into things and understand everything more clearly. If/when I get made redundant, at least there’s a grace period (of apparently a few months) which will allow me to get a new job within that time. So it’s not the end of the world, I just need to find another suitable part time job!

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Original poster

ButterflyKu · 04/07/2024 22:29

redalex261 · 04/07/2024 22:11

I get your point @BrumToTheRescue but the not working lone parent is the issue rather than the Carers according to the rules. It does seem a bit nuts.
I’m not sure on the much trumpeted 30 free hours, my child is 16 - I got 15 free and the deduction from my full day cost was a joke - the nursery explained my costs included all the wrap around, snacks and lunch not included in free hours. I also had to use free hours over five days and was not allowed to bundle them up onto the days I needed nursery due to PTW. Don’t know situation now re this.

What is the situation re 30 hours free care for couple with one working full time and the other not working - do they only get 15 hours?

I initially assumed that if I claimed carers allowance, I will automatically be eligible for the funded 30 hours, however that isn’t the case. If I received carers allowance AND had a partner who earned over the required amount, the child would be eligible for 30 funded hours

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