Working in a school and getting carers allowance??

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I work in a school part time.

I'm only contracted to work 10 hours per week but have done occasional extra.

I didn't think I had ever gone over the weekly cut off of £151 but I may have for one week but only slightly.

It's so confusing when you work in a school you are only paid term time so 39 weeks per year but split over 12 months.

My average wage per week over a full year is £98 per week but in a 39 week school year it is £131.

In one month I did a couple of extra hours during the same week which I now realise has taken me over the limit slightly.

I've also done extra where it hasn't taken me over the limit.

I rang carers allowance to ask about this, she asked for my monthly wages which I gave her. She said none of them are higher than £654 per month so therefore I haven't gone over the weekly limit. She said as I don't earn over £654 per month then I'm fine (that's £151 per week x52 %12 =654)

My highest wage of earnings was £471 (when I worked 3 extra hours) and she said she didn't need that information as I'm still way below the cut off limit. Does anyone know if this is correct? For one week I did earn slightly more than £151 but I get paid monthly so how would they know? I'm still panicking that I'm going to lose my carers.

I hope this makes sense to anyone reading!

X

Why do you think people on here would know better than the actual staff who you spoke to?

Is that the extent of your helpfulness and kindness towards a concerned OP, is it?

Because the person I spoke too didn't seem confident in what they were saying.

Plus all the research I've done says you cannot go over the £151 weekly limit. Or doesn't say anywhere about what you can earn monthly.

www.carersuk.org/media/gciokquc/carers-allowance-earnings-limit.pdf

This explains it well.

It gives an example of what the advisor was saying to you and why they do it that way.

Yes you cannot go over the threshold. You need to tell the school that you cannot do overtime.

I would put it all in writing, saying what you were told on the phone and ask for written confirmation that you don't owe them anything. Send it signed for and keep a copy.

Thank you! That explains it well and what happens when you get paid monthly. By doing it like this, I am no where near the weekly limit.

I can't find this information anywhere so that's really helpful, thank you.

Glad it helped. I'm assuming you get a carers monthly too? If you don't I'd ask for it to be changed so it matches up with your wage and the calculations balance iyswim?

Yes that's a good idea - I'll call them tomorrow to ask about that.

Thank you again.