Should I claim carers allowance?

[NewspaperChips]

I care for DM alongside a FT job. I meet the 35 hours/week care requirement but earn too much to be entitled to carers allowance (which is fine).

I’ve heard you can still apply and be entitled to it, but then not qualify on financial grounds, and that this can be recorded on your file somewhere.

Are there any advantages of applying but not claiming/receiving in this way?

I think you get national insurance credits which country towards pension but then you probably don't need those as employed full time. Maybe speak to the DWP or citizens advice as there might be additional things.

*count not country!

It comes off your UC if you apply for it. They deduct money from your UC claim.

Because of this now repaying an over payment and to be honest I'm worse of by £10 a month but I cannot be bothered to change it all 🤣

If you are not entitled to CA you could get 'underlying entitlement' to certain means tested benefits like housing benefit or pension credit. The fact that you are officially a carer gives you a higher basic need in the calculations.

@ZaZathecat thank you - underlying entitlement is the phrase I was looking for!

If you get other benefits it may be helpful, if not, utterly pointless.

If your mother gets pension credit she may well lose it if you apply. We were assured by AgeUK advisor that it wouldn’t be cancelled, but it was.

It is true that if the person being cared for receives the 'severe disability' element of Pension Credit, this would be lost if someone else claims Carer's Allowance for looking after them. It is wise to check the situation with the person you care for before applying for Carer's Allowance.

Thanks all. @Indicateyourintentions @ZaZathecat DM gets attendance allowance but not pension credits.