Discussion Boards I care for...
Can a carer claim DLA
- By carer101
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Mon 23 Jun 2008 17:02
I am a full time carer for my wife who receives higher rate of care and lower rate mobility (DLA), I get carers allowance as well.
I am having increasing problems with my knees and am having trouble getting around as much and am waiting for an operation on my knees to help with the pain.
What I wanted to know was, if I put in a claim for DLA will it cause any problems ?
Are there any people out there carer and patient that both claim DLA.
Finances are already stretched and I don't want to make matters worse.
Replies
- By loopy
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Re: Can a carer claim DLA
Mon 23 Jun 2008 18:26i dont see why you cant make a claim. Its your wife that is claiming DLA so i dont see why you cant make a claim for yourself too. But be warned, the benefit system is a complicated one and they have a lovely habit of giving you something then taking it away out of the other hand. So sometimes you are not always better off. So look into it carefully before you put in a claim.
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By Lynne D
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Re: Can a carer claim DLA
Mon 23 Jun 2008 21:49Yes you can claim DLA in your own right, however you need to weigh up the pros and cons, not sure how much carers allowance is these days, but you will probably loose it, I used to claim carers - i care for my son (and i still do but with help nowadays) when i was confined to a wheelchair, i claimed DLA for myself, and lost the carers allowance.
- By Michele
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Re: Can a carer claim DLA
Tue 24 Jun 2008 13:37Hi carer101,
I've just heard from the Carers Allowance Unit on this one and they advise that yes, you can claim Disability Living Allowance and it will not affect your Carer’s Allowance:
CA is affected by other contribution related benefits such as Incapacity Benefit, Jobseekers Allowance, State Pension, Widows Benefit, Bereavement Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance.
DLA eligibility is based on the care and/or mobility needs of a person. You can get Disability Living Allowance whether or not you work and it isn’t usually affected by any savings or income you may have.
If you start to get Disability Living Allowance it might increase the amount of other benefits or credits you're entitled to, such as Income Support, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.
Disability Living Allowance is normally ignored as income for working out these income-related benefits and credits.
Disability Living Allowance is for somebody under age 65 when the claim is made. If you are over aged 65 you may be able to get Attendance Allowance instead.
Further information can be found at www.direct.gov.uk .
Information and help with claim forms can be accessed via the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 882200.
Best wishes, Michele
- By marie66
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Re: Can a carer claim DLA
Tue 24 Jun 2008 17:51Thank you for that michele.
All the issues I have with a bad shoulder at the minute, I'm considering submitting a claim myself.
marie x