Childminding & Carer's Allowance

[mrspitt]

Hi
Just looking for some advice please, if anyone is in a similar situation as myself.........
I'm a childminder and have applied for Carers Allowance for my son whom i have been awarded DLA for at middle rate care and lower rate mobility.
My question is......i have been sent the short form to complete with my self employment income....do i put down my Gross Income before i have taken off all my expenses? I use a pretty generic way of doing my accounting ie: Gross Income, Expenses, Net Income.

Also, when deciding if you are entitled to the Carer's Allowance do they automatically disregard 2/3 of your earnings? I have read many mixed answers from other people. Thanks in advance x

What you call gross income is actually wrong. You should call it turnover. That's all the money that comes in. Once you have deducted your expenses that is your gross income. Net income is what you have in your pocket after tax and NI have been paid.

You only allowed to earn a certain amount (around a 100 a week please check this ) before carer allowance is reduced .
It is a taxable allowance too.

You get get more tax credits if your child is disabled too.

Ah Thank you Lovelynannytobe!

I have been undecided to which figures to put in but the form does say Gross Income before any expenses taken off.....sorry should have said that in original post :-/

Claiming carer's allowance when employed you can earn up to £100/ week I would imagine it's going to be something similar for self employment. So if you earn more than that then you are unlikely to get it but lower and you should be ok.

Thanks longjane, yeah i know it's £100 but i have read conflicating information especially for childminders!
Mainly about the fact that 2/3 of your earnings are not counted but i don't understand why this would be. :-)