Unrecognised carer - advice needed

[Runningoncoffeealone]

I currently work 24h per week. DW has an array of health issues - PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Agoraphobia, and suffers with extreme migraines which leave her almost unable to see and often vomiting. She can barely leave the house alone unless she absolutely must, and then can sleep for days after as she feels mentally drained.
When I'm not working I'm caring for her full time and she's currently going back and forth to appointments for a diagnosis and constantly trying different medications which really aren't helping so far.

My issue is that we tried to claim PIP for her and she was awarded 0 points. We're trying again and won't give up, but unless she gets awarded I can't claim carers allowance and still need to work. I feel drained from both working and caring and I have no idea where to turn. I've had to leave work early on more than one occasion because she genuinely couldn't cope due to flashbacks, panic attacks etc.

We don't have any savings so I can't quit work with nothing to fall back on. Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

Have you looked into attendance allowance which is not means tested?

Carers allowance is basically where the government in effect pay someone to give up work to care. For anyone who derives any kind of real income you either won't qualify or will have to give up work.

I'm not familiar with PIP so can't comment on that but sounds like you should get attendance allowance.

Tip I was given if you are going to apply is to call them and get them to post you a form. That way the claim is backdated to the date on the form and the processing takes ages. If you just print it out and send it in you only get it from the date they actually process it and no back dated payemnt.

I think attendance allowance is for older people post retirement. & I think op is talking about his wife.
You should appeal the pip rejection. It's having evidence that she is suffering & struggling daily. So if it's not on the GP record you should try to get it on the record or try to get another professional if one is involved to support the application.
If this isn't possible I would definitely still appeal & make sure you've outlined all of the issues, what she needs help with & how it impacts her.
I believe that the CAB offer support with form filling if that helps too