AIBU - Carers allowance

[binkyblinky]

Sorry, I know this isn't AIBU but I really need some advice.

I currently claim carers alliance due to having a child with a disability, however he is in school now.

I'm looking at getting a part time job while he is at school.

My question is ... the maximum you can earn is £127 a week. Does anyone know, is that different if I work only term time. So 14 weeks a year I'd not be earning, I'd only be working for 38 weeks a year.

So, 127 x 52 weeks = £6604.
170 x 38 weeks = £6460.
As an example.

Can I work as long as a don't exceed 127 weekly over a 52 week period?

Sorry. I'm crap with maths and waited an hour in hold to the DWP to ask this question!

Thankyou all x

Hi, I'm sure they average it out. Good luck with it

No they won't average it over a year.

If you get paid monthly they will average it over the month and will pay you for any months you meet the criteria - it's called irregular earnings and they assess it a few months at a time in arrears. So you lose your money temporarily too - get in back after you've sent in evidence of earnings and deductions.

You can knock off 50% of any pension contribution which might help get you down. And I think childcare is knocked off too. You would need to look up deductions as there may be more.

Good luck.

@earlydoors42 is correct, they won't average it out sadly but if you need to use childcare you can offset 50% of your childcare costs against your earning and some deductions also.
If you're still earning say £10 a week too much, you can pay £10 into a private pension and keep your carers allowance.

It's 50% of the pension that is offset - so if you earn £10 too much, you need to pay £20 into the pension. I know this one as I have variable earnings. I'm not sure on the childcare rules though - I just know there are some!

With childcare costs, you can deduct them in full from your earnings, up to 50% of your earnings. So if you spend £80 on care, and earn £160, you can deduct the full £80 from your earnings. But if you only earn £140 pounds, you can only deduct £70 of the care costs from your earnings.

Thankyou, I don't contribute towards a pension, but I do pay childcare at £27 a day for the days I might be working, so that's £52 childcare a week, I'm awful at maths, so does it mean I can add another £27 a week onto what I would potentially earn?

Most term time jobs (assuming it’s in a school) are paid throughout the year, equal payments per month. So you’d still be receiving wages throughout the summer holidays etc. Is that not the case with this job?

Childcare can be deducted in full up to a maximum of half your pay.

If you are paying £52 a week childcare, you can deduct the whole £52 as long as you earn at least £104. You could start a private pension if you're a bit over.

Agree check if you are paid equal amounts through the year as that would be easier, you wouldn't need to be paid in arrears.

I will be getting paid weekly, cash. So I will need to declare that. It's so confusing!

You will need to declare any wages you earn. I presume you will be an employee and your employer will be giving you proper payslips, paying holiday pay, National
Insurance etc. Carers allowance will ask you to send in payslips and receipts for childcare to confirm earnings.

I think if you get paid weekly you will be assessed weekly. Is it definitely all above board? Who pays in cash these days?

100% above board. It's for a friend of mine who has sadly lost their mobility and I am hoping to become their carer on a zero hours contract. They will be using a legitimate company to make sure deductions like tax and NI are paid and I'll get a wage slip as well.

I think that will get assessed in arrears then as it will be variable earnings. They send you a form to fill in at intervals and you send in copies of all your pay slips. Good luck with it. It is a pain keeping on top of paperwork but I have found the staff helpful once you get through!

Thankyou! I am going to call them tomorrow!

It's not averaged out. If you earn more than the threshold you cannot claim it and it will result in an overpayment. If earnings are variable they can ask you to report wages over an eight week period so they can then pay you without being risk of you being overpaid.

When I worked in a role where my hours varied including being term time only they classed me as an irregular worker and I had to send my payslips in regularly. It was an absolute pain and I gave up in the end

I’m afraid I don’t know the answer to your question.

But I think it’s utterly ridiculous that you should have to go through such obstacles to earning a bit of money when you are saving the social services ££££ by doing the care for a pittance.

Rant over and good luck