Carers Allowance/online booking of vaccine

[TheGoodEnoughWife]

It now states that people in receipt of CA can book online for a vaccine (on the very first page) however when I try I check the 'not health care worker or care worker' and it doesn't let me go any further for booking. Has anyone managed to book a vaccine this way yet as a carer receiving CA?

The thing is the GPs also need access to the hubs for carers quickly just to get this moving along. The sites are empty and GPs seem to be overwhelmed with the practicalities of group 6.

Should there be a tick box for carers? It's allowing me to book an appointment this morning but I'm worried about getting there and being turned away

[quote TheGoodEnoughWife]@DinosaurDiana your dh should be called by his GP as a carer in group six. Not sure what you mean regarding the CA though.

@StormyInTheNorth you won't be turned away now you are booked. I noticed it isn't asking for any proof when you go. Just booking reference and a mask is suggested. [/quote]
CA - carer’s allowance

The system is clear at all is it? it doesnt actually say those in receipt of carers allowance, its specifically states people who are eligible. My DH is eligible, but doesnt claim because he earns to much. We have 2 DC in receipt of DLA, i claim carers allowance for our eldest (but no CA is claimed for our son) and i was called for my vaccine last week by my GP. DH has asked his GP to be coded as a carer, but he is at a different surgery to me and the DC. I dont have his NHS number to try and book him in, going to get him to ring his GP later to get it.

Just a word of caution, my friend who works as a PA for our local council, was turned away from our vaccination centre last week, because the evidence she had taken with her, wasn't deemed satisfactory.

My DH is registered as a carer with our GP.
He is not in receipt of carer’s allowance, his DF gets it to pay for the social service carers he has to have due to Alzheimer’s medication.
My DH cannot book on the NHS website with his NHS number, it’s not allowing him.
He seems to be at the mercy of the GP.

If you are Lancashire and a carer there is a local website - had mine done last week. You need to be in receipt of PIP, DLA, AA or CA but it states you can be working and not in receipt of CA. I had a frenzied half hour searching out DLA paperwork but no one asked to see it when I got there.

Can I just say a huge thank you OP, thanks to this thread I am now booked in for jab on Friday. I'm a carer for my DD with ASD and in group 6. I could cry happy tears right now!

Carers allowance is being used in the same way as age an easy identifiable marker. The GPs should now have more resources to get to the other carers. The problem of GPs having different approaches to their gate keeping is still the same.

@ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn

Some info here:

www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2021/02/C1150-next-steps-on-the-vaccination-programme-vaccinating-cohort-6-.pdf

Of note:
It says eligible for CA not receiving CA, many carers are eligible in terms of how much care is provided, but earn over the threshold.
You do not need to take evidence of carer status to the vaccination centre.

I was turned away from the vaccine centre yesterday because I couldn't 'prove' that I was a carer (as I earn too much)

Told I have to wait for my gp to call instead rather than booking through the link they were giving out at the centre because it was so empty

Will we be turned away without proof of caring responsibility?

Which website please.

Sal

All booked in!!!!!

@EnoughnowIthink

If you are Lancashire and a carer there is a local website - had mine done last week. You need to be in receipt of PIP, DLA, AA or CA but it states you can be working and not in receipt of CA. I had a frenzied half hour searching out DLA paperwork but no one asked to see it when I got there.

I booked through this yesterday and got turned away

I would advise everyone to ‘follow’ their local trust and GP surgery on Facebook.
You do get local info that way.

Heads up anyone booking at the blackburn vaccine centre they won't let you in without proof of Carers allowance etc. And it wasn't the security guard that wanted to turn me away either it was the nurse inside

@EnoughnowIthink

If you are Lancashire and a carer there is a local website - had mine done last week. You need to be in receipt of PIP, DLA, AA or CA but it states you can be working and not in receipt of CA. I had a frenzied half hour searching out DLA paperwork but no one asked to see it when I got there.

If it Healthier Lancashire, the main website says carers yet if you click on the three sites they say 65+ and CEV only. Very confusing.

Sorry for being dense, but can someone confirm whether I have understood correctly that the situation is as follows:

• Online booking only works if you are actually in receipt of Carers'allowance.

• if you are a carer not in receipt of Carers' allowance, but are registered with your GP as being a carer, online booking won't work but GP should arrange the vaccination.

I am in the second category as I earn over the limit for Carers' allowance, my son receives DLA and I am registered with the GP as a carer. I don't seem to be able to use the online booking.

@LittleSwede really pleased you are booked.

@Boulshired totally agree re gate keeping.

@Sadless go to www.nhs.uk and book a vaccine that way. If you in receipt of CA

@DinosaurDiana Yep got that you mean Carers Allowance but don't understand how your dh doesn't get it but you have explained further now.
I suspect you may be at the mercy of the GP and that is frustrating when they are all doing things a little bit differently.

Yes @TheCuriousMonkey I think that is exactly right.

Just to add on to that my confirmation email doesn't ask for me to take any proof to the vaccine centre. Just booking reference and a mask. I will report back here but I am not booked in until Saturday.

@whataballbag grasping at straws but maybe as this didn't properly go live until today that might have changed? I would hate to be turned away and can imagine that was distressing for you.

I do have my carers allowance letter so will take that and see. Wish I was going earlier but Saturday suits more.

[quote TheGoodEnoughWife]@whataballbag grasping at straws but maybe as this didn't properly go live until today that might have changed? I would hate to be turned away and can imagine that was distressing for you.

I do have my carers allowance letter so will take that and see. Wish I was going earlier but Saturday suits more. [/quote]
Unsure, but very annoying as someone I know went around an hour before me and they asked for nothing and let him right in!

They did ask if I could prove my dads entitlements to disability benefits but they made it so hard for him to claim PIP he didn't bother and just lives off ESA.

He has end stage heart failure and COPD so is really quite poorly indeed. At the PiP interview they asked him when he was expecting to recover.

@whataballbag seeing subtle differences to treatment depending on when or who you ask/see and that is so frustrating! I do think in any of these situations you get some power happy people who run away with be in charge. Unfortunately.

Like you say a different hour and it might have all been good. I have seen so many reports of partners/husbands/wives/family members getting their jab by going along with someone else and then you being turned away!

Heads up anyone booking at the blackburn vaccine centre they won't let you in without proof of Carers allowance etc

I’m sorry you were turned away. The website did say they will require proof. The centre I attended didn’t ask for it - wasn’t Blackburn.