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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Covid

Vaccine - unpaid carers

284 replies

Florelei · 20/02/2021 12:39

Is anyone else having significant problems with their GPs? I am registered as a carer with them and asked them yesterday if I was included within group 6.

They said they wouldn’t be putting anyone forward as a carer in group 6 without either evidence of carer’s allowance or a carer’s passport from the council. I can’t claim carer’s allowance as my earnings are just over the threshold even though I only work part time.

I rang the council who didn’t know what I was talking about.

Has anyone else experienced this and does anyone have any tips?

Many thanks in advance.

OP posts:

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BigmouseLittlehouse · 22/02/2021 17:32

Actually looking at the green book it does look like it is limited to the category Kite set out

Kitewoman · 22/02/2021 17:34

@Kitewoman - I have also just seen this change although it isn’t fully clear to me whether a wider category of unpaid carers are still in group 6 and this particular subset is being prioritised?

I don't think anyone is getting priority - it just means that a lot of adult carers get bumped off the group 6 and have to wait now until all priority groups have been vaccinated and will only get it along the rest of those under 50.

BigmouseLittlehouse · 22/02/2021 17:38

@Kitewoman - yes can see that now, it’s changed to limit the definition of carer under group 6.

Bluebolt · 22/02/2021 17:49

there is an entitlement to carers allowance if you qualify for the elements but are above the freehold. The difference between entitled and in receipt of

Kitewoman · 22/02/2021 17:49

yep. If I would be on benefits, I would qualify. why am Iess deserving just because I work when DC is in school???

BigmouseLittlehouse · 22/02/2021 17:53

Yes @Bluebolt it is eligible rather than in receipt of.

It’s quite different to what all the caring organisations were saying earlier though.

Kitewoman · 22/02/2021 17:58

Yes @Bluebolt it is eligible rather than in receipt of.

but if you earn over the threshold, you are not eligible. so what is the difference?

Bluebolt · 22/02/2021 18:07

‘underlying entitlement’ to Carer’s Allowance (see page 9). If you meet the criteria for Carer’s Allowance (or would do so but for the fact that your earnings are too high) you can still get the carer element
in Universal Credit even if you don’t make a claim for Carer’s Allowance.

In this section they talk about earnings and not benefits it’s used for universal credit but it still talks about the underlying element even ifs it’s earnings not benefits.

Kitewoman · 22/02/2021 18:10

I don't know what you mean, blue. the new criteria does not talk about 'underlying' entitlement but if you are in 'receipt' of CA and I don't get UC either. what has that got to do with anything?

Bluebolt · 22/02/2021 18:24

I believe you can still claim carers even if you earn too much you will just not be awarded the money. As you qualify for carers allowance but not the money. You still satisfy the care requirements.

Kitewoman · 22/02/2021 19:08

@Bluebolt

I believe you can still claim carers even if you earn too much you will just not be awarded the money. As you qualify for carers allowance but not the money. You still satisfy the care requirements.

no you cannot.

frippit · 22/02/2021 19:17

My husband receives PIP and I am his carer. I earn too much to receive Carers Allowance but I applied and have a letter from the DWP which says I'm entitled to carers credits. This is an underlying entitlement.
The benefits of this are recognition as a carer, state pension credits when I take unpaid leave and I will get to receive the actual allowance when I retire in a few months. I will have a private pension which is not counted as an income for carers allowance. The state pension does count as income so when I finally get that, carers allowance will stop. Strange but true.

frippit · 22/02/2021 19:20

Hope my experience above is helpful. The rules around this are confusing and I find them difficult to comprehend at times.

frippit · 22/02/2021 19:25

Also Carers Allowance is taxable so if combined with a private pension it could take you over the tax threshold.

frippit · 22/02/2021 19:30

www.gov.uk/carers-credit
Link for Carers Credit

Kitewoman · 22/02/2021 19:55

why would you get carers credit if you work and earn and get pension points that way?

frippit · 22/02/2021 20:10

Carers credit recognises you as a carer who does not receive the allowance due to their income being too high.
I have taken several periods of unpaid leave (2 or 3 months per year) over the last 6 years. This was to care for my husband. Carers credit essentially paid my national insurance during the unpaid leave so there are no gaps in my contributions.

Kitewoman · 22/02/2021 20:18

ah, I see. this isn't something I can do anyways. I always work/earn and pay class 1 national insurance contributions

Kitewoman · 22/02/2021 20:20

and silly question - why would you get carers credit in these unpaid periods. if you have no income, would you not get carers allowance instead?

frippit · 22/02/2021 20:31

Kitewoman I looked into claiming carers allowance during these periods but i was still earning too much over the year to get it. I need to double check that but as far as I can ascertain your income is worked out over the whole year.

Kitewoman · 22/02/2021 20:53

carers allowance is weekly. so if you have weeks in between without income, you qualify. I used to get it for some weeks and not for others when the DC were younger and childcare was fluctuating (50% of child are is deducted from the pay to calculate if you are entitled).

I was classed as an irregular earner and was paid carers allowance retrospectively - I had to fill in paperwork and then they worked out for which weeks I qualified. I would check with them. if you are taking annually 2-3 months off, that is quite a lot of money and may be worth the paperwork hassle.

Kitewoman · 22/02/2021 20:53

it is 100% weekly and not annually.

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bluelemming · 22/02/2021 21:03

My adult son, who lives with me, gets PIP. I ticked the box on the government booking website which asked me if I was a carer. I don't get carers allowance nor am I marked down as a carer with my GP though I am his carer.

I was nervous that I'd be turned away so I took my son's shielding letter and a recent utility bill to show that I lived at the same address. We have different surnames which doesn't help but they waved me through! I was delighted and grateful.

Kitewoman · 22/02/2021 21:16

blue, do you have a link? the one I find oy asks if I work frontline in social or health care.

frippit · 22/02/2021 21:45

That's interesting kitewoman. I'll look into it if I take any more unpaid leave.

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