DLA, Carers Allowance. Does this sound right?

[Julezboo]

Applied on 22ng Aug. Rung them yesterday (30th Nov) A decision has been made and we have been awarded the lower rate mobility and a payment of just over £1000 is on its way to me backdated.

This is all new to me. But from looking at the DLA info online we must have been awarded Middle Care Rate and Lower Mobility rate. Which also means I an claim Carers allowance? Is that right?

It seems an awful lot of money and Im worried something has gone wrong somewhere?!

I also spoke to Tax credits. Informed them of the extra money we would be getting to avoid overpayment and they told me my TC will go up too !!! Around £54 a week.

Can someone shed some light? DS2 (5) is ADHD and possible ASD (Still awaiting dx of this)

if your DS gets MRC ir HRC you can get carers as long as your weekly earning are below £100.
if you get DLA, then you also get an additional.disability element through the tax credits, i.e. tax credits going up. sounds all about right :)

I dont work so have no earning but DH does?

it doesn't matter what your dh earns, if it's you claiming carers then it's solely your earnings that are looked at

Thank you. Just worried about having a big over payment :)

it is just your income that counts :-)

once you get carer's dont forget to inform tax credits (i did cue overpayment ) as carers counts as income for tax credits. but as it is not very much tax credits will not be affected a lot.

Sounds right to me. Also, if you are receiving housing benefits/council tax benefits, it affects them as well.

It sounds like a lot but you'll be amazed at how much you actually spend on your DC for his needs. We hadn't really sat down and added it up, but were shocked when we realised how much his care needs cost overall.

Thank you all. The ONE thing that calmed him down was playing on my tablet computer but thats broken :( So I am going to use it towards getting another one for him.

Congratulations on getting the DLA

You should look at Family Fund grants as they will make grants for iPads for disabled children. They go on household income though so they will take your DH's salary into account, but you still might fall within their limits.

DLA is also useful proof of disability, you can often get free entrance as a carer to various attractions, theme parks etc. So when you get your letter, it's worth making a copy and keeping it with you when you go out.