Waiting time for carer's allowance

jamescc · 22-04-2012 11:14pm

so by my figures i will miss it by a week as the 31st of may is the the last Thursday of the month.

IrishMumOf1 · 22-04-2012 11:54pm

jamescc wrote: »

so by my figures i will miss it by a week as the 31st of may is the the last Thursday of the month.

Looks that way, its so much cheaper paying that kind of thing in one go too. Maybe I have it wrong but thats the only date I could find online for it. I am just praying I get my carers allowance and they backdate it incl the respite grant as it looks like I have another 8 to 9 weeks to go before I hear anything.

skate22 · 23-04-2012 9:46am

If you had been caring for someone 6 weeks (I think) prior to June you will get the respite grant included in your back pay. You also do not have to be in receipt of Carer's Allowance to apply for the grant. You have up to Dec of this year to apply for the grant for 2011. If you are getting Carer's Allowance you are automatically paid the grant at the beginning of June. This is info I was given by Citizens Advice.

As I am waiting for my appeal to be sorted I decided to apply for the grant separately and when I rang them they told me that they are waiting for the decision from the Appeals before they decide on my application. So I cant win either way.

My patience is running out at this stage and will make a few more calls before I get back in touch with the ombudsman. It has been a year and 9 months now since my original application.

Linda dub · 23-04-2012 2:05pm

Jesus thats disgraceful skate 22 you must be fit to be tied at this stage!!!! Is there nowhere else you can get more advice about your situation? Terrible to think your on your own dealing with all this ... It be worth your while to get a solicitor ( tho prob too expensive ) to Give you some legal advice on Your situation... The best of luck anyway keep us posted on any new developments

IrishMumOf1 · 23-04-2012 3:02pm

skate22 wrote: »

You have up to Dec of this year to apply for the grant for 2011.

Am I reading this right or am I having a blonde moment. I have been caring for my husband since 2008 (never knew we could get carers, there's a real blonde moment for you,

) so does that mean I could apply now for the grant given out in June 2011/ or am I reading this wrong and I would be applying for the grant for this year 2012.

The wait to find out about the carer's allowance can be frustrating but I don't know If I could do it for as long as you have skate22.

skate22 · 24-04-2012 1:01pm

IrishMumOf1 wrote: »

Am I reading this right or am I having a blonde moment. I have been caring for my husband since 2008 (never knew we could get carers, there's a real blonde moment for you, ) so does that mean I could apply now for the grant given out in June 2011/ or am I reading this wrong and I would be applying for the grant for this year 2012.

The wait to find out about the carer's allowance can be frustrating but I don't know If I could do it for as long as you have skate22.

Hi when I was refused the allowance I went to Citizens Advice and they told me that I didn't have to be in receipt of Carer's to get the Respite Care Grant. If you are getting the allowance it is paid out automatically and you do not need to apply. To qualify you would have to be providing care for 6 months and this has to include the 1st Thurs in June.

In your situation, you could have applied for it even though you hadn't applied for the Carer's Allowance. What a pity people are not aware of these things.
Anyway, you have up to Dec of this year to apply for the 2011 grant because you didn't apply for Carer's Allowance till Oct 2011. This years grant (paid in June 2012) will be paid to you automatically when you get the Carer's Allowance.

You should ring Respite Care Section on (01) 6732222 for an application form and when you fill it out state that you want the grant for 2011. make sure you let them know the date you applied for the Carer's Allowance because as it was after June 2011 you wouldn't get that grant in your backdated payment. Also stress that you were not aware that you could have applied for it prior to June last year.

Hope this helps, best of luck

And no it was not a blonde moment, unfortunately we don't always know what we are entitled to claim and as usual only seem to find out when its too late. :rolleyes:

skate22 · 24-04-2012 1:16pm

Linda dub wrote: »

Jesus thats disgraceful skate 22 you must be fit to be tied at this stage!!!! Is there nowhere else you can get more advice about your situation? Terrible to think your on your own dealing with all this ... It be worth your while to get a solicitor ( tho prob too expensive ) to Give you some legal advice on Your situation... The best of luck anyway keep us posted on any new developments

Hi Linda dub

I have been in touch again with the appeals office as I do on a regular basis. No news on my appeal yet but I will now be writing another letter. I do this on a weekly basis more for my own sake so that I know I am keeping on top of it. I will contact the Carer's Association as well for some further advice and I have all my files ready to send to the ombudsman.

As I said before I won't let this go because by refusing me I feel they have basically called me a liar and I will not accept or allow them to do this. I feel very strongly about this. I was a full time carer and I deserve this to be recognised. Ah well the fight continues :mad:

So sad that we have to fight for everything in this country. Oh and I have just been refused JSA (am no longer a carer) as well because my husbands wage was over the limit because he did a few weeks overtime at the beginning of the year. Of course he no longer has any overtime but this won't make any difference and I am not going down the road of another appeal.

Things just get better and better :mad: ha ha

Linda dub · 24-04-2012 3:23pm

What a nitemare for you thats unbeliveable.. As you say have to figgt for everything is right its an absolute disgrace. When i applied back in sept my husband was on JSA and claiming for me as a qualified adult.. In march he applies for BTWEA. He keeps sw entitlements for two years ... However he never got to start work as he go very sick ... We awaiting tests and results ... I spoke to cwo who advised hm to stay on BTWEA until all results back because to claim disability allownce you now must be able to prove you cannot work for a year or more. If its bad news then he wont have choice bt to
Go on dis alowance... Whichever SW payment he gets im still
Entitled to half rate carers... They sent me letter fri look for payslips from six weeks i explained situation to them and said need put in writing... I faxed that over along with the letter from hosp saying he inpatient and unable work for at least next six weeks.... It probably go hold up decision now ... Complete nightmare between one thing and another !!!!

skate22 · 24-04-2012 8:28pm

Linda dub wrote: »

What a nitemare for you thats unbeliveable.. As you say have to figgt for everything is right its an absolute disgrace. When i applied back in sept my husband was on JSA and claiming for me as a qualified adult.. In march he applies for BTWEA. He keeps sw entitlements for two years ... However he never got to start work as he go very sick ... We awaiting tests and results ... I spoke to cwo who advised hm to stay on BTWEA until all results back because to claim disability allownce you now must be able to prove you cannot work for a year or more. If its bad news then he wont have choice bt to
Go on dis alowance... Whichever SW payment he gets im still
Entitled to half rate carers... They sent me letter fri look for payslips from six weeks i explained situation to them and said need put in writing... I faxed that over along with the letter from hosp saying he inpatient and unable work for at least next six weeks.... It probably go hold up decision now ... Complete nightmare between one thing and another !!!!

Hi Linda Dub

Hopefully it won't hold up the decision. They won't make any decision until they have all the documentation they need. Just make sure to keep copies of everything. But it is definitely a nightmare I agree. You would think that the application form is enough and that in itself has tons of information to be filled in. After all no one is going to apply for Carer's Allowance for someone who is miracously going to recover 6 weeks later. We are all aware that this is an allowance to care for someone who has long term health problems. The original application should be enough. It is just a load of bull and red tape that goes to further the waiting time for decisions.

Anyway I do hope your husband feels some bit better soon and wish you the best

Linda dub · 25-04-2012 4:16am

Couldnt agree with you more skate 22.... Its only when you go onto these boards you realise there are so many people waiting and in very different circumstances too. We all know well its tough enough job without having to practically almost beg to get recognition for it...

Jasssss · 25-04-2012 11:01am

Skate22, I think that it is terrible the way your application for carer's was turned down.You mention the ombusman and I know of people that have gone down this road but I was just wondering if you went to any legal advice centres. These centre's have been known to represent people in similar situations to yourself.

jamescc · 25-04-2012 10:49pm

IrishMumOf1 wrote: »

Looks that way, its so much cheaper paying that kind of thing in one go too. Maybe I have it wrong but thats the only date I could find online for it. I am just praying I get my carers allowance and they backdate it incl the respite grant as it looks like I have another 8 to 9 weeks to go before I hear anything.

best of luck I know how frustrating that it can be.

skate22 · 27-04-2012 11:06am

Jasssss wrote: »

Skate22, I think that it is terrible the way your application for carer's was turned down.You mention the ombusman and I know of people that have gone down this road but I was just wondering if you went to any legal advice centres. These centre's have been known to represent people in similar situations to yourself.

Hi Jassssss

I have contacted the ombudsman and sent regular e-mails regarding my case. I have been told that if I am not happy with the appeals decision to get back in touch with them. I am now waiting for the final decision from the appeals board but my patience running out. I did get a letter today, only after a lot of letter writing and phone calls, to say that "the matter is receiving attention and a further letter will issue to you as soon as possible". Unfortunately, their soon as possible could be another 6 months. I am giving it two more weeks and then will request all my files from them and get back in touch with the ombudsman.

Am weary at this stage :mad:

Jasssss · 28-04-2012 6:33pm

Skate22, fair play to you for being so persistant. I think you are right but after what you are after been through I dont think I would have the energy to keep going. I am only waiting a short time compared to most of you on the forum and I am already pulling my hair out.I know Rome was not built in a day but this wait is hitting a crisis.

skate22 · 30-04-2012 6:32pm

Hi Jasssss

I am definitely persistent because if I don't continue with this I feel I am letting them call me a liar and I cannot allow that. I will stand up for what I feel I am entitled to. I WILL continue to fight their decision because I WAS a full time carer and and did the job for over 17 months. Unfortunately, my caree has passed away so I only want to be paid for work I genuinely did. After all if the person being cared for has to go into a home then it would cost the state a lot more than the carer's allowance. No SW worker would like to work 50 hours a week without payment.

Anyway, will continue the fight and keep this updated

PS just want to say here that this is not all about the money. I had no problem being a carer and was only glad to step into the job when I was asked (my sister in law did it for 5 years previous to me but had to emigrate). Unfortunately, I did need the payment and was entitled to apply for it.

endofrainbow · 01-05-2012 11:39am

I have been following this thread with interest. While I do understand the red tape involved from the Dept, I am at a loss to understand just how it can take 7/8 months to make a decision on the awarding of carer's allowance.

I am in a similar situation to many of you on here, i am caring for my 90 year old mother and applied for carer's allowance last December. The application was acknowledged received by them on February 14th (by text) - 2 months after it was sent and each time I call I get differing time scales as to when a decision will be made. Forms were completed correctly and all documentation attached.

I called this morning and was told they are only working on August 2011's applications although when I called a month ago, I was told they were working on September 2011.

Caring is not an easy task and the added stress of wondering if/when the carer's allowance will be granted just adds to the frustration.

Jasssss · 01-05-2012 12:03pm

I rang yesterday and was told that they were working on August 2011.I rang because my application is coming up to 3 months and i have not received a text or letter to say that they have it.Is the carer's allowance now one of the benefits with the longest waiting time or are people waiting on other benefits in the same way.I read the kildarestreet.com website daily and the amount of questions being asked about the carer's by TD'S from their constituent's has quadrupled.People are really struggling and totally stressed because of this delay.It beggars belief what is going on.

aileach · 03-05-2012 11:27pm

browneyedrosha wrote: »

Hi there! Just an update on my situation...Finally after exactly a year I have been told that i have been passed to receive CA. Today is a good day! Mind you I havent received written confirmation of this, but following a call to longford, i was told i will be receiving payment for both my parents! Dont know exact date yet or how long, or even if, i will get it backdated, but the lady i spoke to seemed optimistic that i would get it backdated to at least the last date i sent in additional medical information! Its been a long struggle, but hopefully in next few months i will have paid bills & loans which are currently outstanding! and I will be able to look guilft-free at my kind friends who lent me money over last few months!
Hope more of you get good news this week!

O My Goodness, great news that you're going to get the CA at last - i can't believe it's been over a year of waiting for you!!

So Annoyed · 03-05-2012 11:44pm

Hi skate, you are right to fight for it. It's shocking that they refused you. The fact that your caree has passed on should be a sign in itself that the person needed to be cared for.

It's all about money, and the fact that they just don't want to have to pay it out.

It's a hard enough job.

skate22 · 04-05-2012 6:09pm

So Annoyed wrote: »

Hi skate, you are right to fight for it. It's shocking that they refused you. The fact that your caree has passed on should be a sign in itself that the person needed to be cared for.

It's all about money, and the fact that they just don't want to have to pay it out.

It's a hard enough job.

Hi So Annoyed (an apt user name)

I agree that they don't want to have to pay out the money but they are quite happy to let us continue for so long without payment and tough luck if we get turned down. As I said before it is not as if our carees are miracously better while we await their decisions. We have to continue to care while we fight tooth and nail to what we are entitled to claim. I am sure this is a job few people would choose to do. We do it because it is needed and because we care and unfortunately we don't all sail through life without health problems or the need for care. The long long waiting time to get any decision also takes its toll on the person we care for as they are anxious and they worry that they will be left without a carer and may need to be put in a home. I know that was a constant worry with my caree.
Anyway now you started me on a rant. I rang the Appeals Office again today and my file has been moved to the Chief Appeals Officer for decision. Was told I should hear in about 2 weeks. I WONT HOLD MY BREATH

Will keep you posted.

Linda dub · 04-05-2012 6:44pm

Well i should hope you hear very soon after all the hassle you have had shame on them for putting you tru all this ... Seems to me nobody gives a damn about the hard work a carer does... Surely some changes have to be made and legislation changed to ensure this mess gets sorted before it gets any worse ... I was told a month ago it was only matter weeks before i hear anything and i rang again today and was told very same thing .... Im almost 35 weeks waiting now and i know its not as long as yourself and many people are waiting i can only imagine how frustrating it must be!

skate22 · 05-05-2012 3:52pm

Linda dub wrote: »

Well i should hope you hear very soon after all the hassle you have had shame on them for putting you tru all this ... Seems to me nobody gives a damn about the hard work a carer does... Surely some changes have to be made and legislation changed to ensure this mess gets sorted before it gets any worse ... I was told a month ago it was only matter weeks before i hear anything and i rang again today and was told very same thing .... Im almost 35 weeks waiting now and i know its not as long as yourself and many people are waiting i can only imagine how frustrating it must be!

Hi Linda Dub
From reading back on this forum it seems to me that the waiting time for a decision is nearly a year. That is just beyond ridiculous. Even if they had a system in place where someone looked at your application and said whether or not you would get the CA. If you knew that you had been approved then you wouldn't mind the long wait for it to be processed. But of course these things only happen in an ideal world and certainly not within our Social Welfare System. I myself got the decision within a few weeks but its the appeal that has held it up so my situation slightly different. It is still a long waiting game for everyone.

Frustrating

:(:(:(:(

Linda dub · 05-05-2012 5:49pm

Yes id love to know how like yourself the decision to refuse you was made in couple weeks yet others wait months and still refused. im begin to tink just depends on who opens application form!!!!! Only i rang months ago it prob wouldve went unoticed that my mothers medical was shredded by mistake and they would be only discovering it at this late stage meaning another reason for delay ....at this stage im giving up watching post its not go happen anytime soon by looks things ... Hopefully When they told you two more weeks they meant it ..i sincerly hope you get good news

Lubinkator · 06-05-2012 11:14am

I am considering to organize protest in front of their offices.it is disgraceful how people are treated.they say they have not enough staff or money to hire new ones.but they do have hundreds of millions for banks who wasted money doing wrong decisions.i am sick of this.we re people like them not a group of animals

skate22 · 06-05-2012 7:39pm

Lubinkator wrote: »

I am considering to oganize protest in front of their offices.it is disgraceful how people are treated.they say they have not enough staff or money to hire new ones.but they do have hundreds of millions for banks who wasted money doing wrong decisions.i am sick of this.we re people like them not a group of animals

I could not agree with you more. The only thing is most people couldn't protest because after all this is one social welfare payment that people actually work for. And being a carer is usually not a 39 hour week but a lot more. How hard can it be to open an application see if it fulfills the criteria and make a decision. Its really not rocket science !!!!!!! People are so sick of this crap system we call social welfare. As you said the banks got millions of a bail out and its out of our pockets. Again i think if we all printed the posts here and send them to the minister of social welfare Joan Burton or even send an e-mail to her office with theses posts attached. I m sure they would get sick of the constant letters and e-mails and maybe someone might even listen. yeah right wishful thinking

:(:(:(:(

IrishMumOf1 · 07-05-2012 12:27pm

Last I heard they were working on August or Sept, has anyone called this week or last week?

It helps knowing where you are in the queue!

All the personal stories I read on this thread shock me to the core.

Linda dub · 07-05-2012 2:04pm

Yes I called last week said work on beginning aug but really dont think any the wiser because said the same about three weeks ago....at this stage i actually dont think THEY know when their work on !!!!!

PammyD · 07-05-2012 2:23pm

I know a lady who's nearly a year waiting on carers allowance too.. Its ridiculous so it is!!

Also the One Parent Family review is taking months also!!

Ray Lights · 10-05-2012 9:53am

Hi folks,
I, like everyone else on this forum have gone through the long process of applying for carers allowance. My story is pretty much like everyone else, waited, turned down, appealed, waited, waited, waited...... drifted into debt... waited, more forms to fill, waited..... 15 months later got approved!!!!
I just got my first payment last week along with a letter saying I would get payments back dated. Just out of interest, does anyone know how long this payment takes to come through?
The letter stated ' shortly after ' , but with the history of the department in question, time runs at a different pace to reality.
Thanks in advance for any help,
Kind regards,
Ray

Linda dub · 10-05-2012 12:23pm

Hi my sister was waiting just two weeks for her back Money saying that as you said could be different .. Glad to hear you got carers always good to hear something positive on this forum although the wait must been nitemare

Ray Lights · 10-05-2012 12:49pm

Thanks Linda,
It is week two and no sign of it, but as you said, it differs for everyone. Thanks for the info. I am coming to the belief that those waiting to get carers allowance should use the motto "MAYBE NEXT WEEK"
I found it difficult to get any information, bar from keeping a watch on this forum which I found very helpful. I just moved this week to a new place with mum, but once I get settled I am thinking of making a carers website where people can get all the information they need without having to spend days if not weeks or months searching for it.
I have very little experience in web design, only made one

for a festival I volunteered for ( something to keep my mind active ), but if anyone here is interested let me know.

jamescc · 10-05-2012 12:56pm

Ray Lights wrote: »

Thanks Linda,
It is week two and no sign of it, but as you said, it differs for everyone. Thanks for the info. I am coming to the belief that those waiting to get carers allowance should use the motto "MAYBE NEXT WEEK"
I found it difficult to get any information, bar from keeping a watch on this forum which I found very helpful. I just moved this week to a new place with mum, but once I get settled I am thinking of making a carers website where people can get all the information they need without having to spend days if not weeks or months searching for it.
I have very little experience in web design, only made one for a festival I volunteered for ( something to keep my mind active ), but if anyone here is interested let me know.

Ray it took a week for me to get the money
And two weeks for the restbit money but only because the the bank shut down my account and I had to set up a new one

Hope this helps

Ray Lights · 10-05-2012 1:34pm

jamescc wrote: »

Ray it took a week for me to get the money
And two weeks for the restbit money but only because the the bank shut down my account and I had to set up a new one

Hope this helps

Thanks James,
Hopefully I should have in next week if that is the case. I have received two payments already, so I know the money is coming through. I doubt the back payment will be large. I had to sign on when I started to care for mum full time, so I am guessing I will get the balance between old benefit and the carers allowance.
It is great that their are a lot of helpful people here, thanks so much for getting back to me so quickly.
Ray

Katy12 · 14-05-2012 10:32am

I am a new poster here and have read all through the thread over the past few days. I want to wish everyone who is struggling all the best; I can see that some of you have very difficult situations to deal with and it doesn't help when it feels as though those who can help (financially) don't seem to be too bothered. I don't suppose it's all their fault either.

I applied for carer's allowance at the beginning of April. I am 70 and my husband is nearly 74. He has suffered from heart disease for 20 years and prostate cancer for 3. I have never applied for this benefit before because I didn't feel we had really got to that stage but time moves on and he has lost power in his legs due to radiotherapy and has had some falls. I have come to realise that this is not going to improve, in other words he now needs to be looked after.

After reading the thread I don't know how hopeful I am about getting the allowance but we will see!

th23 · 14-05-2012 12:45pm

anyone know what month they are dealing with now

Linda dub · 14-05-2012 2:50pm

Hi katy12 nice to hear from you though not in these circumstances . I was wondering are you talking april 2012 or 2011? If its this year then i sincerly hope you are not too long waiting .. Rumour has it a new system should come into play as soon as last years backlog is cleared but you know yourself these thing are never straightfoward!!!! I really have to admire you looking after your husband as my folks are same age as yourself and your husband and my mother in particular cannot do anything never mind look after my dad. I really hope fact your age circumstances etc will mean you dont have that long wait

Ladyjebus · 14-05-2012 4:19pm

Hi,
I`m new here,but Ive been reading these posts the past few weeks.
My husband has been on disability allowance for a year.I applied for carers allowance September last year.
I got a letter this morning,I didnt get it. They told me it was because the chief medical officer felt that he didnt need a carer.
He`s on disability allowance,his doctor even said that he thought I`d definitely get it.
I`m really surprised.It looks like most people that got it though had to appeal.
With me though,the letter said if I want I can send more information and the officer. It was said that I was refused on the grounds that the chief medical officer thought he doesn't need a carer.So it didn't even get to the carers officer,is that normal?? It said that if then the officer refused me,I could THEN appeal.
So,I`m gong to send more info,and a letter describing why their decision was wrong.
I need to get what I can off of his gp,even though I thought the carers office would have access to all of that information.They did with the disability allowance.And his doctor said both were given under the same criteria,whats going on?
This is weird,any one else have this same experience??
Sorry for the long post btw ;/

skate22 · 14-05-2012 5:58pm

Hi Ladyjebus

Get as much information and as detailed information that you can. Get copies of any appointments hospital or doctors and you could even try getting a letter from your local priest stating that full time care is needed. Keep copies of everything you send and I would even send it by registered post if necessary. Send all of this back to the deciding officer before you go down the road of the Appeals Office because believe me that is a longer road to go down.

Best of luck :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Katy12 · 14-05-2012 5:59pm

Hi Linda, I mean April 2012. I did hope that perhaps our ages would help my claim but as I said, after reading through the posts I am not so sure. Someone told me years ago to apply for this allowance but I never felt it right. It isn't that we don't have enough money for daily living, we do, but more that I have had to start paying for help to do things that need doing as my husband isn't able to do much and to be honest I don't always have the energy. Anyway, we'll see what happens.

skate22 · 14-05-2012 6:05pm

Quick update on my own appeal...

:(

Rang the appeals office again last Thurs week and was told that my file is now with the Chief Appeals Officer. Rang today and was told that my case was closed on the computer but my file was still with two appeals officers and that if I could just be patient a little longer I would hear something. ( the girl on the phone could not have been nicer) My patience has long run out as this is ongoing since July 2010. Anyway, in the event that they may refuse me again I also wrote to the Freedom of Information Officer asking for copies of all my files to date so that I will have them ready to send to the ombudsman.

Heres hoping I don't have to go down that road :rolleyes::rolleyes:

Linda dub · 15-05-2012 11:32am

Im fit to be tied here ... 4 weeks ago i submitted a letter frm my husbands hospital stating he cannot work at least nxt six weeks along with a letter stating the situation... The officer said dat was all Needed and hear decision in four weeks . Its now four weeks rang just now to be told dat they are waiting on Confirmation from Me if my husband is ont the btwea or disability allownce ... I explained once again that we were advised he stay on btwea until all test result are in ... Carers are now say they need to know which one he be on so delay now till all results in .... Taking into consideration i am entitled to carers based on medicals regardless of either sw paymnt recieved ... I got quite upset on fone and tried to explain how desperate my situation has become.. The reply to dat was the decide officer will mke decision on wot info he has and decison be out me nxt couple weeks ... Its obviously i will be turned down as all info nt in ...i cannot belive this is still going on even tho last things i sent in was sposed be all dats needed and my parents medicals were done ... I am very upset n annoyed n feel like telling
thm to keep the bloody thing cos hassle nt worth it... Im too tired to argue any more at this stage 

jamescc · 15-05-2012 1:25pm

Linda dub wrote: »

Im fit to be tied here ... 4 weeks ago i submitted a letter frm my husbands hospital stating he cannot work at least nxt six weeks along with a letter stating the situation... The officer said dat was all Needed and hear decision in four weeks . Its now four weeks rang just now to be told dat they are waiting on Confirmation from Me if my husband is ont the btwea or disability allownce ... I explained once again that we were advised he stay on btwea until all test result are in ... Carers are now say they need to know which one he be on so delay now till all results in .... Taking into consideration i am entitled to carers based on medicals regardless of either sw paymnt recieved ... I got quite upset on fone and tried to explain how desperate my situation has become.. The reply to dat was the decide officer will mke decision on wot info he has and decison be out me nxt couple weeks ... Its obviously i will be turned down as all info nt in ...i cannot belive this is still going on even tho last things i sent in was sposed be all dats needed and my parents medicals were done ... I am very upset n annoyed n feel like telling
thm to keep the bloody thing cos hassle nt worth it... Im too tired to argue any more at this stage 

Everyone on here has been through this we are all on your side it took me almost two years.
But don't go give them the satisfaction of giving up after all this length of Time
Chin up

Best of luck

James

endofrainbow · 15-05-2012 3:56pm

just spoke with some in CA section. They are currently working on August 2011.....

Linda dub · 15-05-2012 6:19pm

Im bit calmer now i should not be letting it get to me bt have had lousy few weeks and that just topped it off.... Its the fact one person tells you one thing and another one completly contradicts it !!! Obviously lack of communication is a major problem... I was asked ehen did i think my husband will be fit to return to work as i said hes awaiting biopsy results how in gods name can we put a time frame on these things .... Begin think you have to be a psychic i was suppised to know that they were looking for more information without them telling me ..... Anyhow thanks for support 

mick kk · 15-05-2012 9:31pm

Hi all,
I am new to all this - a relative of mine is a full time carer and I helped her with the application recently. I have some questions

1. the patient has Alzheimer's and has good weeks and bad weeks. If they are called for an interview, it might be on a good week when he is as sharp as a pencil and not on the week where he can't remember his own name or if he has eaten or not - do they take this into account?

2. We sent the application 3 weeks ago by registered post but have heard nothing back - do they acknowledge receipt of applications?

Thank you

skate22 · 16-05-2012 9:27am

mick kk wrote: »

Hi all,
I am new to all this - a relative of mine is a full time carer and I helped her with the application recently. I have some questions

1. the patient has Alzheimer's and has good weeks and bad weeks. If they are called for an interview, it might be on a good week when he is as sharp as a pencil and not on the week where he can't remember his own name or if he has eaten or not - do they take this into account?

2. We sent the application 3 weeks ago by registered post but have heard nothing back - do they acknowledge receipt of applications?

Thank you

Hi Mick

As far as I know they wont be called for an interview if the medical section of the application satisfies the criteria for Carer's Allowance. Of course this medical seems to me to vary from person to person.
As for receipt of applications, the normal time seems to be six week before an application is even acknowledged.
Try ringing them with the PPS no (this will be your reference no.) and ask that they have received your application as you sent it by registered post and you would like to know.

By the way, Best of luck with the application

Jasssss · 16-05-2012 11:01am

My application is coming up to around 14/15 weeks now and I have heard nothing back.They have received it because I rang them.Does anyone know at what point does someone in the Dept open my application or is it left sitting on a desk with another pile of applications for another 14 weeks or so.New system or no new system surely this can not be the case.Do they send you anything during this 30 week wait is what I'm asking.Is there any point in ringing them.

jamescc · 16-05-2012 2:23pm

Rang the carers place today I found our that the respite is being paid out on the week commencing the 7th of June

Linda dub · 16-05-2012 5:28pm

I had no correspondance frm thm at all
Till i rang after 14 weeks they thn cnfirmed reciept of my appplication .. Wont actually
Look at application til has to be scannd onto their computer... Then paperwork is shredded n all Details held on computer.. Thats what they told me back then ... Next time application looked at was when dealing with Month was sent in... Thats all
I was told .....

Jasssss · 16-05-2012 10:20pm

Thanks Linda,I am really pissed off waiting and have not waited any way near the time you all have.I would love to know how many people work in this section.At the moment the back log stands at 7600.

Waiting time for carer's allowance

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