claiming carers allowance

[donna1901]

I am thinking of giving my full time job up and becoming a carer for my grandad.
I would then be eligible for carers allowance at something like£53 a week.
I have never not worked. i do have 2children aswell so was wondering how the goverment make your money up? via tax credits?
I would be grateful for any help and does the law state how much a single person with two kids should get a week?
I am so confused and dont know where to start...
Thank you for any help recieved xx

[starone]

It is a very difficult job and if you do it you will deserve every bit of money you get. Especially since you have two children to look after as well. Will you be living with your grandfather?

[mathremuk]

You are better giving them a call. Its all worked out with lots of questions. I know the one thing preventing me from getting anything more than the £53 a week was that I was over the savings mark of £11,000. They wanted me to spend my hard earned savings before I could have a decent weekly allowance to care for my Gran :(

[sara3]

sorry but that's incorrect, mathremuk. http://www.direct.gov...Allowance/DG_10012525

"Carer's Allowance is not affected by any savings you may have."

[donna1901]

thank you so much for every answer.i am a carer now for a company who visits peoples houses. i do live with him and he does get the nessicary benefits to allow me to claim the allowance. going to lookmore into depth in the week. my job also allows me to have a 12month break in order to care for relatives and have to keep my job open so i am really considering it altho my income would drop. was looking for a rough figure xx

[sara3]

Donna, if you're also a lone parent you'd probably be entitled to income support, or Jobseeker's Allowance, depending on the age of your children.

if your wages stop remember to tell the tax credits people as you may get more from them, and don't forget to look into Housing/Council Tax benefits if you're responsible for the housing costs.

you can get advice from your local Jobcentre office.

[bednobs]

surely you can't get JSA at the same time as carers allowance ... don't you have to be looking for a job to get JSA? And wouldn't giving up a job voluntarily mean that there would be a delay in paying JSA?
Anyway donna, if you are becoming a full time carer,in my opinion your grandad should also give you HIS attendance allowance as this is what it's paid for - so that you can pay for the help you need with care

[bednobs]

i mean he can pay for the care he needs in the last sentence

[bednobs]

PS doc, isn't pension "free cash"?

[bednobs]

lol