Help with Carers Allowance

[Buscake]

Hello, my daughter was awarded middle DLA today - decision took a week from when they received it, and they told me the decision by text, very efficient! The woman I spoke to said I could apply for carers allowance. I've tried googling but can't find much to answer my questions, so wondered if anyone here had any experience of this?

Is the carers allowance as dreadful to apply for as DLA? Is it a case of some people are awarded it and some aren't? I'm a stay at home mum, and I don't earn anything so in that sense I fulfil the criteria. My daughter attends preschool 2.5 days a week. When she goes to school would that mean I no longer care for her for 35hrs a week? How is this timeframe calculated? I suppose weekends and before/after school still adds up to 35hrs doesn't it?

Thanks for reading :)

It's really quite straightforward to claim for and parents with DC in fulltime school get it, because yes, the rest of the day and weekends all add up, so no, pre-school makes no difference to it.

The only things that affect it are if you work or if you're on Income support...in which case they reduce the carer's allowance (in line with wages) or the Income support to a lower amount, but you still get more overall.

If you claim child tax credits, remember to inform them about the DLA award as well as there's an extra element to tax credits as well.

Thanks tabulah, I appreciate you taking the time to answer everything :) I think I'm just worried as I didn't know if/what level the DWP would award for DLA so thought it would be a similar process for carers allowance. I hadn't realised that about child tax credits so will give them a call too. Thanks a mill

No, it really is a pretty easy form, nothing is like DLA anyway, lol, but it's not hugely complicated.

Maybe they assume they've punished you enough by making you do the DLA one?

www.gov.uk/carers-allowance

Have a read of the pages on this.

Thanks for starting the thread, I hadnt realised I could earn £100 / week and still claim carers allowance!! If we decide to HE Dd3 I am going to have to cut my hours at work so will definitely claim.

Indeed, from April it is £110/week. This is after tax, NI and minus 50% of your pension contribution. It also takes childcare (some of it) into account.