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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think if you can't work you can't care either?

132 replies

stella69x · 13/10/2013 16:20

So if somebody is in receipt of sickness benefits, therefore they are deemed unfit to work, they should not be entitled to carers allowance for caring for another person.

In my mind if they are fit to care for another person they are fit to work!

Opinions gratefully received

OP posts:
ChippingInNeedsSleepAndCoffee · 13/10/2013 16:22

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

elQuintoConyo · 13/10/2013 16:22

What is it to you? Can't you just let people be?

ChippingInNeedsSleepAndCoffee · 13/10/2013 16:22

HTH

dontwanttobefatandforty · 13/10/2013 16:25

Stella I think it depends on why they are off sick and what kind of care is involved, but generally yes I agree with you

TigerBabyyy · 13/10/2013 16:26

I didnt think you could claim carers allowance aswell as sickness benefit.

I think you can care for someone if you are unable to work, depending on why you are unable to work.

If you are unable to work due to breaking your leg, then no you cant possible care for someone else.

However if you are unable to work due to stress or anxiety, then yes you can still care for someone so it depends on the individual circumstances.

Penny13 · 13/10/2013 16:26

I don't agree OP. If one person has a mental health illness is won't affect their physical health in caring for another sick person (e.g helping them with shopping, going to the toilet etc).

hermioneweasley · 13/10/2013 16:27

I am inclined to agree with you.

BrianTheMole · 13/10/2013 16:27

No I don't agree with you. Lots of different activities define being a carer. It doesn't have to be heavy lifting. Someone may struggle with a nine til Five job, but manage the role of caring for someone else quite successfully. Plenty of people are not well enough to work, but they still manage to care for their children just fine.

mumblechum1 · 13/10/2013 16:28

It does seem wrong if they get double benefits.

But I know nowt.

sydlexic · 13/10/2013 16:28

I can't work at the moment, I care for my MIL, I could say I can't do it but then she would die.

I don't claim anything so that is ok.

sydlexic · 13/10/2013 16:29

It is the caring that makes people sick.

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 13/10/2013 16:30

ODFOD there's a love

AnnieLobeseder · 13/10/2013 16:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

UsedToBeNDP · 13/10/2013 16:31

That's too linear an idea, OP, frankly.
You can be unfit for paid work but still have to shoulder carer responsibilities (say for a child, partner or parent) regardless of your own health needs.

TidyDancer · 13/10/2013 16:32

It depends on the sickness I suppose.

How would saying "my opinion is that you should fuck off" be helpful to anyone?

mrsjay · 13/10/2013 16:33

Carer is such a big umbrella of things not all carers are lifting and laying and anyway YABU sickness and caring is nothing to do with anybody it is a private and personal think and if you begrudge a carer with their own illness a few pounds a week then you are a bit heartless imo

mrsjay · 13/10/2013 16:33

thing*

AnnieLobeseder · 13/10/2013 16:34

But to be fair, people who are too sick to work shouldn't be expected to be carers. The state should step in, allow these people to just look after themselves and take responsibility for the person who needs care. But they don't do they? The state expects families to care for their own disabled/sick/elderly, with absolutely zero consideration for how fucking hard it might be.

wannabedomesticgoddess · 13/10/2013 16:36

Jesus.

People who are carers, in the majority of cases, do not choose to be a carer. They are left with no choice but to look after their sick or disabled family member. For a healthy person to take that on is a big ask, nevermind someone who has their own health issues to contend with.

The amount of benefits someone in these categories is expected to live on is a bloody pittance, and I suggest you walk a day in their shoes before you suggest its unfair or too much.

JuliaScurr · 13/10/2013 16:37

'double benefits'

oh, my sides

less than £900 pm

did you see the news about unpaid tax?

BruthasTortoise · 13/10/2013 16:37

You can't get paid Carers Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance together, they're overlapping benefits. So what are you talking about?

Dawndonnaagain · 13/10/2013 16:38

Fuck of to the farside of fuck and then a bit more. Thanks.

Dawndonnaagain · 13/10/2013 16:39

Oh, and just so you get your information correct, all bar a couple of quid is taken off carer's allowance if you are on other benefits.

usualsuspect · 13/10/2013 16:39

Bloody hell MN is full of twats today.

3littlefrogs · 13/10/2013 16:39

My brother and his wife both have life limiting illnesses.

Neither are able to work, but just about manage to look after each other by combining their limited abilities.

Brother was self employed until he could no longer work, SIL looked after both her parents till they died.

Carer's allowance and attendance allowance are very small amounts of money. If you have been self employed you are entitled to very little in the way of benefits.

I suppose the money SIL saved the taxpayer by caring for 2 sick, elderly people for 20 years is of no consequence?

Equally I guess the long hours of work brother put into building up his business and employing several people doesn't count for anything either.

SIL's consultant says that none of her patients manage to work full time, some can just about manage part time, light work.

Until you have a painful, debilitating chronic condition you really have no idea. Sad

OP - what do you suggest they do?

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