Carers allowance. Can I report someone for trying to claim?

[bourbonchip]

My sister is claiming carers allowance for "caring for" our mum who is 91.

She is a liar and a manipulative person. I'm NC with her.

It's me that looks after our mum, day in day out. She's started coming over every now and again but doesn't actually do anything.

I've just found out that she's trying to claim carers allowance for herself. What can I do?

Could you put in a counter claim? Then you can have an underlying claim even if you’re not entitled to it and be classed as your mum’s carer rather than her. She shouldn’t be getting it.

Without sounding crass, I have enough money and really don't need to claim it.

Claim it anyway if it stops her. You can always find something useful to donate it to.

Either claim it your self, or report her if she gets the claim

Your Mum should get a letter asking if your sister is caring for her, it will have details of how you can contact the DWP if that is incorrect. If you don't contact them they will assume that your sister is caring for her and will process her claim for Carers Allowance.

To claim carers allowance the person has to be caring for 35 hours per week. If she does get the carers allowance, it can affect other benefits your Mum gets.

A person can have more than one carer. If you aren't going to claim, why shouldn't she?

Does your mum.receive any of the qualifying benefits ?
at 91,I think that would be Attendance allowance .

Because if she isn't spending 35 hours or more per week caring for her Mum, it's fraud.

Did you read the op? The bit where it says she comes over every now and again, and doesn’t do anything? How does that equate to eligible to claim carers allowance?

Exactly. If she’s not doing 35 hours a week care and is earning over £139 ( can’t remember exact amount) it’s fraud . I think I had to prove evidence of earnings in fact I’m sure I did , does she work?

My sister did this with my son but doesn't care for him I called carers allowance to tell them but they weren't interested and told me that they won't discuss anyone else's claim with me even though he is my child 🤷‍♀️

So sorry to hear that.

I don't want to cause any issues for my mum which is why I'm hesitant and unsure of what to do.

If you can claim attendance allowance I would do so - you can spend it on your mum if you want the point is it would stop anyone else claiming it.

Otherwise, unfortunately its pretty easy to claim and they don't really check all that well, she's likely only got to fake your mums signature and give them her phone number, and she will get away with it.

The cared for person's signature is not required.

Because she isn't a carer, and having been one I can imagine just how OP feels at the idea that somebody else would wrongly claim to be doing what she is in fact doing

Put in a claim yourself, with evidence if you can. Then if it comes up you can tell them.

Even if you don't need it, claim it - you may need it to help with her care later down the line.

Very similar story...

Friends sister has been claiming carers allowance for the past ten years or so (for her 94 yr old mother) but only "cared" for the first couple of years,
Even in the beginning, she never spent much time with her or did very much for her. Now her mum is very frail and slowly declining.
My friend visits most days, does housework, shopping and gardening for her but isn't entitled to claim carers allowance as she is a pensioner herself.
I've advised her to report her sister for committing fraud.

Your mother would need to have a qualifying benefit. If she doesn't already claim AA, you should put in a claim. It helps to pay for the little things that can make life easier at that age - gardener, cleaner, podiatrist etc.

You should put in a claim for CA even if you don't need the money. If you are below state pension age, it will sort your NI contributions out to ensure you get a full state pension. If you don't need the money, spend it on your mother, or give it to a Carer's charity. The way that unpaid carers are treated is shocking.

Yes, I'd report it. She's taking advantage of the system that's there to support vulnerable people and those who support them.

Oh god yeah I'd report that to the dwp