To want more benefits?

[CheeseAndSprinkles]

I care for 2 of my children but I'm only able to claim one amount of carers allowance. I save the country a lot of money by caring for my children, I wouldn't have it any other way, but the extra money would be extremely helpful. It's a pittance anyway. So am I BU?

Helpful reply thanks!

No, YANBU, most carers don't get nearly enough for all they do for one person never mind two. Actually getting it however is another matter, there's no chance with this government.

I save the country a lot of money by caring for my children

😬

Please clarify - when you say carers allowance, how much do you get and for what reason? Then we can be accurate in our replies.

What do you mean you 'care' for your 2 children?
Are they special needs children? Do they require extra care of some kind?
Have you used a benefits calculator to work out exactly what benefits you are entitled to?

Both my children get DLA so that second lot of carers allowance is left unclaimed. I basically have carers allowance stretched over two, how is that fair?

You might be missing something our you're entitled to - I'd advise a trip to the (mostly) helpful citizens advice bureau :)

It does seem unfair, quite like the fact you can't claim carers allowance and widow benefit together either. Have you informed tax credits so you get the disabled child element? Can you apply for any help from social services?

My DH cares for me but goes to work as well so gets nothing.

I'm sorry but the lack of empathy already being shown on this thread, just shows how IGNORANT people are about this. Looking after two children with significant disabilities must be really hard and I don't understand why you can't claim a higher rate of carers allowance for caring for more than one dependant.

It doesn't seem fair at all.
That's the UK government for you though!

Sorry I'm assuming most people know how carers allowance works. You can claim it when the person you care for is on a certain amount of disability benefit, of which both my children qualify.

I suggest some of you Google carers allowance and then the answer to you ignorance will be clear. Ffs

There's no clarification needed - carer's allowance is only paid to people who are caring for people with a disability.

And yes it's shitty that the small amount they pay is only paid once no matter how many people you're caring for.

Why are people being snippy?
I'm assuming the OP has 2 children who have a health condition and she is their carer. Since you can only claim carers allowance for one person she will be doing the extra care for both of them with only 1 lot of benefit.

She saves the country money by staying at home and doing the extra care rather than having a nurse paid to do it which would cost a hell of a lot more.

CA is crap, it covers nothing. It should imo at least be minimum wage for the amount of hours a week you need to provide care to be eligible for it.

Owl why do you think I asked the question I asked, because I suspect those first two unsympathetic replies hadn't actually grasped what the OP was saying because of how she phrased it and the lack of actual info.

I do get everything else I'm entitled to, I just find it unfair that when I care for 2 I can only claim for one carers allowance. There's obviously a need for another carer as there's that unclaimed benefit just sat there, has been for over 3 years now, so why can't I have it? And back date it please!!!

Ah c'mon op, you're getting nearly £1.75 per hour for emotionally and/or physically draining work (I'm assuming your children's additional needs stop after 5 hours a day).

I am not for double the carers because of the two children but more that carers allowance should be much more in the first place.

If carers allowance is intended to compensate you for the fact you are a full time carer and therefore cannot do paid employment then why would you need compensating twice?

Yanbu
And it shouldnt need clarifying, but the op is looking after two disabled children, yet can only claim carers allowance once. This is wrong (and carers allowance is shit too, but thats a whole other subject)

Op, are you entitled to help with electricity/gas or water? Healthy start vouchers?

I agree it's such a generous benefit in the first place and its such a relaxing job and people are so empathetic about it. I just love all the multi disciplinary meetings I go to, it gives me an enormous sense of wellbeing.

Why can't my DH have carers allowance for me? There's loads of people like him, going without CA, because they hold down a job and do the caring.