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Original poster

Carers allowance decision

59 replies

inthedarkx · 24/05/2022 17:13

Ok so I rang carers allowance to ask for an update. It's been 4 weeks since I claimed. Anyway she said a decision has been made but wouldn't tell me over the phone saying I have to wait for
The letter. She didn't mention whether I would get any payments or not. So I take it I haven't been accepted and will expected a declined letter in the next couple of days. I don't understand if my mum claims PIP and I care for her as she needs the support why would I be declined? Does it depend on how many points she has on her PIP? I'm sure if I was accepted she would have told me that on the phone so I'm guessing I haven't

OP posts:
Metalandtea · 24/05/2022 17:23

Carers can be claimed for someone with a daily living component PIP award, so as long as she is getting that and you aren’t earning over the threshold and you are caring 35hrs a week, you should be entitled. It’s not points dependant so long as she has enough points to qualify for at least the lower rate daily living component of PIP

Hadalifeonce · 24/05/2022 17:25

Perhaps they are not allowed to confirm or otherwise on the 'phone.

stepuporshutup · 24/05/2022 17:27

Op you were told over the phone that the letter would arrive with the decision. Why be so negative

Babyroobs · 24/05/2022 17:44

Why would you assume it's been declined from what she said? If your mum receives the daily living component of PIP and you provide 35 hours of care for her per week and do not earn more than £132 a week you will be eligible. If you claiming carers allowance is going to affect any benefits your mum may be claiming then they will write to her to let her know and check she is ok with you claiming.

sadandlonely2022 · 24/05/2022 17:55

@Babyroobs because she said 'it's too much for me to explain the decision over the phone' so if it was an accepted claim, surely that's not difficult to explain, plus my income support has remained the same with no changes as I had to ring them as well today to check something about my water bill being taken out and they've explained my future payments with that being taken out.

sadandlonely2022 · 24/05/2022 17:57

So there was no mention of carers being taken from my income support so if was accepted, then when I want to query my water bill being taken out on site my carers would show on that system to if I was accepted x

Babyroobs · 24/05/2022 18:07

sadandlonely2022 · 24/05/2022 17:55

@Babyroobs because she said 'it's too much for me to explain the decision over the phone' so if it was an accepted claim, surely that's not difficult to explain, plus my income support has remained the same with no changes as I had to ring them as well today to check something about my water bill being taken out and they've explained my future payments with that being taken out.

Could anyone else already be claiming carers allowance for her?

sadandlonely2022 · 24/05/2022 18:13

@Babyroobs no definitely not x

BadWolf2022 · 24/05/2022 18:15

Your income support will remain the same until you tell them your getting carers allowance.

They don't always tell you over the phone. Stop worrying there's no reason why they won't accept you unless your working over 35 hours a week or your mum doesn't get the daily living part of pip.

Lougle · 24/05/2022 18:15

Wait and see. Carer's allowance isn't a 'being accepted' thing. It's a tick box exercise:

  • subject is disabled
  • care provided for more than 35 hours
  • claimant income less than limit
Babyroobs · 24/05/2022 18:18

I wouldn't read too much into the income support not changing. If the carers allowance has only just been awarded then Income support won't know yet.

Lougle · 24/05/2022 18:19

BadWolf2022 · 24/05/2022 18:15

Your income support will remain the same until you tell them your getting carers allowance.

They don't always tell you over the phone. Stop worrying there's no reason why they won't accept you unless your working over 35 hours a week or your mum doesn't get the daily living part of pip.

It's care provided over 35 hours per week. You're only allowed to work a few hours. Under 16 hours if you are entitled to the minimum wage of £8.72.

BadWolf2022 · 24/05/2022 18:48

@Lougle it doesn't go off hours. Maximum you can earn is £132. I get carers allowance so I know what I'm advising.

Original poster
inthedarkx · 24/05/2022 18:50

Thanks everyone
she gets the standard sailing living part of pip. I guess I'll just need to wait for the letter. X

OP posts:
sadandlonely2022 · 24/05/2022 18:51

Fault not sailing

Lougle · 24/05/2022 18:51

@BadWolf2022 I also claim carer's allowance. Your post stated "there's no reason why they won't accept you unless your working over 35 hours a week" which is factually incorrect.

Original poster
inthedarkx · 24/05/2022 18:51

daily not sailing
Predicted text !!

OP posts:
WelfareRights · 24/05/2022 18:54

Are you working? If so how much are you earning?

Does your mum live alone and receive the severe disability premium?

sadandlonely2022 · 24/05/2022 18:59

@WelfareRights

Thanks
no I'm not working, yes my mum lives alone but no she doesn't receive the severe disability

WelfareRights · 24/05/2022 22:45

sadandlonely2022 · 24/05/2022 18:59

@WelfareRights

Thanks
no I'm not working, yes my mum lives alone but no she doesn't receive the severe disability

If your Mum lives alone and gets PIP she should have been entitled to the severe disability premium (SDP) - it would have been part of any means-tested benefit she has been receiving (if any) such as ESA. If she should have been getting an SDP but hasn't, you can ask DWP to apply and backdate this now - I have got thousands for people by simply having an SDP backdated for years!

If you apply for Carer's Allowance, Mum will lose her SDP so make sure that she definitely isn't receiving it and isn't eligible for it.

The reason I ask is that Carer's Allowance should contact you if Mum is receiving the SDP (or possibly because they think she might be entitled to it) to check you know that claiming Carer's could affect your Mum's income. This might be what the letter is saying especially as 4 weeks is pretty quick to get a Carer's Allowance decision.

Otherwise, as PPs have said the only thing they "check" is that you are caring for Mum for more than 35 hours per week, that she is receiving a qualifying benefit (in this case, PIP daily living), that no-one else is getting Carer's Allowance for looking after her, and that your earnings are under the limit of £132 per week. Sometimes they check with the caree that the caring is taking place.

So if you tick all these boxes then you don't have anything to worry about and Carer's Allowance will be awarded. The process is normally very straightforward.

Nat6999 · 24/05/2022 23:14

If your mum gets SDP on ESA she will lose that if you claim carers allowance, they will write to her to as if she consents to giving it up, if she doesn't then you won't get carers allowance.

sadandlonely2022 · 27/05/2022 07:55

Hiya

Does anyone know how long it takes to get a letter from carers after your told that they've made a decision ? I asked on the phone and told they made a decision and to wait for a letter but not had no letter how long does it usually take

SBParker99 · 31/05/2022 12:54

@sadandlonely2022 how long did you wait for a decision? @inthedarkx did you get accepted? i’ve waited 5 weeks now hoping to hear soon

Original poster
inthedarkx · 31/05/2022 13:00

@SBParker99 hiya yes I finally got accepted on the 25th may 2022 ( i applied on the 26th April 2022) I haven't got a letter yet at all or a payment but i rang twice this week and I was told my claim is live and I won't get my first weekly payment until the 06 June, the back pay money I won't even see it ( about £419) because they said income support have took it as I owe them as i can't claim income support and carers at the same time so as i was waiting for carers I was still on income support. BUT I am owed the back pay for the carers premium from income support (about £200) but there was a problem so im waiting for them to deal with it and it's taking it's time!! I think this is why they say it can take 12 weeks as there is always a problem
I hope you get yours sorted soon x
You should ring them for an update because the only way I knew it was live is by ringing them all week. It's actually been 6 weeks and i still haven't got a letter or payment so I would deffo Ring them x

OP posts:
SBParker99 · 31/05/2022 13:06

@inthedarkx how did you find out as normally they refuse to say over the phone, i’m gonna call in the morning