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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To claim carers allowance purely to dodge 'work focused interviews'

147 replies

LuckyButton · 26/04/2017 11:07

I am disabled, so is my three year old ds.

My DH is already my carer and receiving CA for me, so when ds started receiving high rate DLA I didn't bother applying for carers myself.

Neither of us works, we receive income support etc.

However since dd turned 1 the job centre has been calling me in every two weeks or so for 'work focused interviews'

I obviously can't work, even if I could there is no employer that would touch me with a barge pole due to my health.

After going through PIP assessments for myself and the DLA for ds I didn't have the fight in me to claim ESA.

However, carers is so easy to apply for (just a quick online form) and it at least means that they can only call me in once every three years.

I don't feel like I am being unreasonable but a 'friend' is appalled according to latest her Facebook status. Apparently as I'm so disabled it's a scam for me to claim carers for ds.

On the other hand carers UK, after I listed what I do for ds said it was fine.

So, Aibu?

OP posts:
Original poster
LuckyButton · 26/04/2017 11:33

freshmarigold thankyou that's great to know.

No I don't claim esa, it just seems like one too many headaches along with the Pip and DLA claims.

I mentioned it to someone I thought was a close friend, more in exasperation at the constant unnecessary meetings.

I won't make that mistake again. I just feel shit enough as it is not being able to work and being looked after, I don't fancy being called a scrounger or a scammer on top of that.

OP posts:
Raggydolly3 · 26/04/2017 11:33

Yes you can claim Carers if you have a carer.
For example lot of couples with disabilities take care of each other. It's a recognised and successful support method

MrsSpenserGregson · 26/04/2017 11:36

To answer your question OP: I wouldn't see it as wrong, no. It must be a bloody difficult life for all of you, and getting dragged into pointless "why aren't you working" interviews must be soul-destroying.

Keep on trucking OP, you're doing a brilliant job Flowers

Magpiemagpie · 26/04/2017 11:36

What benefits do you get at the moment
Are you in the work & support group

I agree if you say that you can't wash / shower yourself how can you do that for someone else not saying it's not possible
But That's what PIP assessors and even ESA assessors will look at and will probably refuse you PIP when it comes up for renewal and make you go to tribunal

A friend of mine had DLA for mental health problems but was also a child minder
When getting moved over to PIP she lost her award because they said that how could she look after children safely with her MH probiems and sadly the tribunal agreed with them so she lost her award completely

Sidge · 26/04/2017 11:38

Just be careful that your ability to care for your son won't impact on your PIP renewal next year.

They will tear you apart if you claim CA for doing things for your son that you claim you can't do for yourself. You and I know that they will use any information available to reduce your PIP eligibility.

Also CA is a taxable benefit, so beware of going over the taxable thresholds. (I imagine that's unlikely but just be aware of it).

Original poster
LuckyButton · 26/04/2017 11:39

Thank you MrsSpenserGregson Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
LuckyButton · 26/04/2017 11:43

I've just had a quick read through my copies of the DLA and PIP forms.

There aren't any inconsistencies as far as I can see. I'm able to the the things I have stated I do for my son on the DLA forms (though I have mentioned DH has to be there for most of it, supporting etc)

And it doesn't conflict with my pip forms. There are things I can't do and that is the same on both.

DS was getting DLA before this, the only difference is I didn't claim carers when he first did, as I didn't think I needed to/could.

OP posts:
troodiedoo · 26/04/2017 11:44

I don't think yabu. I think it's horrendous that you have to go through these ridiculous hoops when your family already has it hard. Flowers

lalalalyra · 26/04/2017 11:44

You really need to be claiming ESA or carers for your NI contribution.

Is there no-one who could help you claim ESA? You are entitled to ESA.

Also you "should" be fine claiming carers as long as your reasons for claiming PIP aren't contradicted by your caring. However, they will look at anything they can when you reapply. If you have to go to appeal for PIP you can end up with no money for months and months. Whereas if you focus your fight on ESA you at least get the low amount as it's similar/same as JSA.

If your PIP decision was fairly recent you can also send your decision notice in with your ESA. It doesn't officially help, but it doesn't go against it, especially if it's the same assessment people. It's just another tool in your box.

Mummyoflittledragon · 26/04/2017 11:49

The person, who was astounded. Are they able bodied? Do they have a dc needing care? I suspect not. Do what you need to do and did them. Unfortunately people not in your situation will struggle to understand.

Mummyoflittledragon · 26/04/2017 11:49

Sorry I should have said some people.

Bumbumtaloo · 26/04/2017 11:52

Just to clarify everyone does not need a medical to claim ESA. I have claimed ESA for over 3yrs and never had an assessment. I was placed directly into the support group from the supporting evidence that my GP and consultants provided.

I received an appointment recently and it coincided with my renewal. Once DH advised them that my GP stated I needed a home visit (and GP faxed supporting info) they have decided to just renew my claim without seeing me.

Bumbumtaloo · 26/04/2017 11:56

Another thing that occurred to me is how much do you get for income support? My claim with DH is a joint claim - he is my carer and we receive £285 every two weeks. I receive income related ESA.

Bumbumtaloo · 26/04/2017 11:57

Ugh really wish I could edit!

The £285 is the ESA I receive.

Original poster
LuckyButton · 26/04/2017 11:59

Bumbumtaloo it's currently around £311 every two weeks I think.

I might look into esa again then, I just thought it sounded like another pain.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 26/04/2017 12:06

You have a 1 year old baby too?

I didn't think they'd be calling you in for work yet?

Bumbumtaloo · 26/04/2017 12:08

LuckyButton so ESA could potentially be slightly less. I did receive a letter that said it's going up by £10 in November. We do receive other help though.

Honestly, I stressed over applying so much and actually almost didn't until I realised that if I didn't we would have no money! Especially as DH kept missing work to care for me. The worry about the medical was unbelievable but as I said I never had to have one. I had one for PIP.

Bumbumtaloo · 26/04/2017 12:11

Ugh done it again Angry if you want to message me I'm happy to go through my medical conditions (in case yours are similar) but don't want to put myself.

Original poster
LuckyButton · 26/04/2017 12:11

No the friend in question has no disabilities or any family with any. She's always been very friendly but apparently this is 'one thing too far and ridiculous'

Yes dd turned 1 a few months ago, that's when the never ending meetings started.

It upset me much more than I thought it would, so I thought I'd consult the oracle MN Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
LuckyButton · 26/04/2017 12:12

Thank you Flowers

OP posts:
freshmarigold · 26/04/2017 12:13

Carer's allowance is still much easier though. You can just claim online and it's awarded very quickly as all they need to do is check whether your DS is getting DLA. No need to gather information or ask for confirmation from GP. And it's ongoing for as long as the person you care for gets DLA/PIP - not for a fixed period like ESA.

Use Entitled To to check if there would be a financial difference in whether you claim ESA or IS+Carers. It wouldn't make much difference in my case but I'm in different circumstances.

WorraLiberty · 26/04/2017 12:16

Who cares for the baby?

I honestly didn't realise this. I thought for some reason they didn't call people in with a view to returning for work, until they were school age.

SilverBirchWithout · 26/04/2017 12:18

I suppose the question you need to ask yourself is if you didn't do the helping care of your DS (for example, in hospital or away for a couple of days) would your DH be able to provide the care for your DS on his own. Or would he need to get someone else into help?

BeyondUser24601 · 26/04/2017 12:23

Try an esa claim. I understand that you don't feel up to fight for it, but if you are lucky (it does happen, it did for me) you won't have to do any more fighting than what you already did for pip. Along with my esa medical questionnaire and evidence, they used the medical assessment from my pip and I didn't face any additional interviews with capita :)

mayoli · 26/04/2017 12:26

This makes sense, and yes most likely it would even out and be taken off of your income support.

Maybe put in a claim for CA and slowly gather documents and evidence for an ESA one? I know how exhausting the ESA process is and maybe claiming CA would buy you some time in that respect. However claiming CA could also be something that it used against you when claiming for ESA so it's a risk.

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