Is A Carer Allowance Paid To The Carer Or ‘Caree’?

[Jennykenny]

My elderly neighbour, who had a joint bank account with her husband, used to be paid an amount every month. She thinks it has stopped since her husband died, but, as he took care of all the finances, she is not sure.
I suggested she check her bank statements, but she doesn’t seem to understand them.
And how would she get the paperwork to apply for this money to be re-instated? Thank you.

[Peter Pedant]

start here

https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance

it may depend on her other benefits

[sadielady]

She would only get a Carers Allowance if she was caring for someone, for example her husband, she wouldn't get it just to help her finances I'm afraid

[Jackdaw33]

If she was paid to care for her husband it would obviously have ceased on his death.

[kvalidir]

Yes the carer get 'Carers Allowance' but has to be currently caring for a qualifying person. If that person has died, as Jack says, her Carer's Allowance would have ceased as she's no longer a carer.

[Peter Pedant]

er wasnt the husband looking after her ?
so it would cease after his death .....
but someone else could apply .....

[bednobs]

as long as that person was providing a substantial amount of care to her (and wasn't working or earning a load)

[kvalidir]

If that is the case and she is the 'caree' so to speak, be careful who claims it then as it's a 'wage replacement benefit' so if you are already claiming a pension for example that will be affected. Best to get someone who is not currently claiming any benefits if possible or indeed a pension, if Peter is reading it right and I am reading it wrongly. x

[Stephen_G]

Can't help with the problem, but Carer's Allowance can be paid after a death (Depending on how recently deceased). My Mum passed away in August 2014, but they paid me the C.A. until the middle of October 2014. Didn't have to fill in any paperwork with any Agency though - just register with the Jobcentre when the last payment was made.

[Jackdaw33]

Irrespective of whom the allowance is paid to, it will cease on the death of either the carer or the person being cared for.

[Jennykenny]

I don’t think I was clear enough in my question. She was/is the disabled person, and her husband the carer.
He is now dead, and I am stepping up doing a lot of things for her. Which I don’t mind. But I think it would be better for both of us if she was able to pay someone to do her shopping etc. Does this make things any clearer.
She doesn’t get any other payments apart from her normal state pension, and a work pension.

[Jackdaw33]

In which case contact the DWP and make a claim on your own behalf.

[CheekyChops]

You could claim it for looking after her but you would need to be caring for her for at least 35 hours per week.

[Jennykenny]

Thank you Jackdaw, but I don’t want the money or the responsibility, and it sounds selfish, but I like to go away quite a bit on holidays, so it wouldn’t be practical.
I think that she will have to re-apply to the DWP and see what they say.
I’ll print out the various forms and leave it up to her. Thank you all for your help.

[Mamyalynne]

I think this lady may best be advised to look at claiming Attendance Allowance.

https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/attendance-allowance/

[Jackdaw33]

She will have to find another carer who would qualify for the allowance.

[DTCwordfan]

for the record for others, there's also a 25 percent discount of rates for non-husbands and wives at home with a second level attendance allowance person....such as a son, daughter or live-in......why it doesn't apply to a spouse, who knows?

[bednobs]

it seems very odd that she wasnt already getting attendance allowance or dla as they are a prerequisite fot getting carers allowance

[Jennykenny]

Again than you all, esp Mamy.
God it is so complicated. This lady(in her nineties, has almost no relatives,or friends), so trying to help as best I can.
Fingers crossed I can sort out something that will help her. And again all info appreciated. Thank you.

[Mamyalynne]

Age UK Advice Line, may be a good place to ask for pointers - you're kind to try to assist her.

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/age-uk-advice-line/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyYHT8smo2gIVCZztCh25XQY7EAAYASABEgI7LvD_BwE&;gclsrc=aw.ds

[whiskeryron]

never be afraid to ring & speak to someone at the DWP, I have always found them extremely helpful when you need clarification on a matter of Pensions & payments etc.