Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Cost of living

Stretching your budget? Share tips and advice to discuss budgeting and energy saving here. For the latest deals and discounts, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Coming off carers, benefits advice urgently needed.

3 replies

SkintAsASkintThing · 13/06/2017 15:27

For the past 15 years I've been my son's full time carer, things have come to a head recently and it's been decided that due to the levels of violence he's capable of he's a danger not only to me but to the public and a full time, residential setting is needed.

Currently we live with my dp who recently had his hours reduced at work from 30 to 24.......in all honesty this suited us due to my son's care needs who.already received 2 -1 care with his respite carers and in school. But the reality is he earns £180 a week.

We've always got by with a mix of dps wages, tax credits, carers allowance and my son's DLA (( half of which paid for extra respite to keep him in a stable routine )) But by all means aren't rolling in it, no savings etc.

I've phoned up to let the DWP know whats happening and they've advised me that I won't be able to claim anything and dp doesn't do enough hours to claim tax credits, so we'd have to pay all mortgage, bills, council tax etc from £180 a week. The obvious solution is for dp to get more hours which he's trying to do and I find a job which again, I've been looking at for a while (( which isn't easy as my cv not only has zero on it pretty much my emotional state is so bad right now I can't even make a phonecall, I've barely functioned since the decision was made tbh ))

Is there anything I'm missing ?? Even jobseekers or something for 6 months to give me some breathing space and calm down would be a huge help.

OP posts:
RupertsMum2 · 17/06/2017 19:05

Gosh, yes, you are in a bit of a difficult situation. If you are struggling so much that you can't make a phone call then I think your first port of call should be your GP. Have you a sympathetic one who will listen? Then I would gather all your financial information and make an appointment at Citizens Advice. They will be able to find out what may be available for you in the short, and longer, term. Can your dp see if he can pick up some more hours or a second job even just until you can get back on your feet. Good luck.

Babyroobs · 20/06/2017 11:30

I think if your Dp could just increase his hours to 30 you would be eligible for working tax credits which would help. Could he do anything like delivering for a take away place or something just to get a few extra hours? I'm sorry you are in such a difficult situation. I don't think you'd even be entitled to JSA as you won't have aid NI for the past few years. As pp says speak to CAB. I'm surprised there isn't some kind of Carers allowance run on in this type of situation.

esmarra · 20/06/2017 13:17

There is usually a 4 week run on for Carers Allowance (8 weeks for carer premium and means-tested benefits).

Is your DS going to come home for any weekends or holidays? My DS is at residential school and comes home for weekends, which means we get PIP for 2 days a week and full Carer's Allowance. He gets the full mobility part as that isn't affected by residential. If your DS is full time residential without any weekends/holidays home though then the DWP might just view your household as the same as any couple with no dc.

Carers Allowance does pay your NI credits so you might be able to claim some contribution-based benefit (JSA or maybe ESA as it sounds like you have anxiety/MH issues) - check with CAB or Carers UK (they have a helpline). Also get advice on how to protect your NI once your CA stops and if you don't manage to find work - it might be worth signing on for JSA credits. The DWP are fairly useless with benefit entitlement advice so it's always best to check with someone like CAB.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page