Carers allowance question

artvanderlay

Hi,

I applied for half-rate carer's allowance in early April and was told recently that I will just have to wait a couple of weeks more for a decision. I'm just wondering do they pay backpay immediately when they make a decision or do they drag that out for a few months as well?

Thanks.

mrsbyrne

artvanderlay wrote: »

Hi,

I applied for half-rate carer's allowance in early April and was told recently that I will just have to wait a couple of weeks more for a decision. I'm just wondering do they pay backpay immediately when they make a decision or do they drag that out for a few months as well?

Thanks.

First of all nobody is dragging anything out. Nobody has a vendetta against you. Secondly I would be surprised if you got a desicion in a few weeks unless you have been recently awarded DCA. Thirdly arrears are taking anything from 4 to 12 weeks due to staff shortages.

artvanderlay

When I say "dragging it out", I just mean will it take long. If you take some kind of offense to me asking my question in an offhand way, that is your problem. I am fully aware there is no vendetta or anyone out to get me and if you can only answer questions with some snappy little barb attached, then please don't bother.

peppa 1986

If you are approved, arrears will be paid immediately. If you go to appeal, this takes another 6months, but if approved, arrears are paid immediately. Speaking from recent experience.

artvanderlay

peppa 1986 wrote: »

If you are approved, arrears will be paid immediately. If you go to appeal, this takes another 6months, but if approved, arrears are paid immediately. Speaking from recent experience.

Thanks very much peppa. Hopefully I'll get it first time without going to appeal

sparkynash

Can you get carers allowance for minding your own child if they have a short term illness or need care,and collect child benefit and work 15 hrs max per week.just curious.

Mam of 4

peppa 1986 wrote: »

If you are approved, arrears will be paid immediately. If you go to appeal, this takes another 6months, but if approved, arrears are paid immediately. Speaking from recent experience.

Hi, can I just ask a question? If you appeal their decision is it normally around six months wait then also? And do you have to go speak in front of an appeals board? Would love to put my mind at rest re speaking in front of a panel :eek:

raymick

Hi was just wondering my daughter is 19 she is in receipt of disability allowance for EDS (ehlers danlos syndrome) i bring her to all her hospital and doctors appointments physio and hydrotherapy and accupuncture chemists and any other appointments associated with her condition, i make sure she takes her tablets everyday and do her exercises with her to keep her mobile all of these things she cannot do for herself do you reckon i could apply for carers allowance

DanDublin1982

Mam of 4 wrote: »

Hi, can I just ask a question? If you appeal their decision is it normally around six months wait then also? And do you have to go speak in front of an appeals board? Would love to put my mind at rest re speaking in front of a panel :eek:

Not a board but one appeals officer and sometimes not even that as a number of them are decided without a hearing. The time they take is directly related to how many are in the que ahead of you.



Raymick, depends on your own circumstances re: work, means etc.

Mam of 4

DanDublin1982 wrote: »

Not a board but one appeals officer and sometimes not even that as a number of them are decided without a hearing. The time they take is directly related to how many are in the que ahead of you

Thank you, the thoughts of having to speak to more than one person at a time was scaring me tbh. thanks for that

raymick

thanks I don't work my husband is in a low paid job and we have another son in secondary school no saving or assets I don't want to send in the forms if I am just wasting my time my daughter received her DA with no questions asked as she has a rare degenerative condition which really gives her very little prospects in terms of ever being able to hold down a job of any significance. it was just something that crossed my mind today after she was diagnosed now with migrane which they want her to stop taking her pain meds as they reckon they are causing some of the problem so now we need to buy a tens machine to manage pain she needs things like a new mattress various strappings and braces and needs to start hydrotherapy all of which cost money including fuel and parking costs to the hospital and doctors its a struggle

mrsbyrne

raymick wrote: »

thanks I don't work my husband is in a low paid job and we have another son in secondary school no saving or assets I don't want to send in the forms if I am just wasting my time my daughter received her DA with no questions asked as she has a rare degenerative condition which really gives her very little prospects in terms of ever being able to hold down a job of any significance. it was just something that crossed my mind today after she was diagnosed now with migrane which they want her to stop taking her pain meds as they reckon they are causing some of the problem so now we need to buy a tens machine to manage pain she needs things like a new mattress various strappings and braces and needs to start hydrotherapy all of which cost money including fuel and parking costs to the hospital and doctors its a struggle

Raymick apply straight away as its taking ages. Try and impress on your daughters GP that its very important that he make it clear in the form how much care she needs. Also write a letter yourself describing all you do for her and don't spare the horses include the letter with the form .Best of luck.

raymick

thanks will do fingers crossed

Mam of 4

raymick wrote: »

thanks will do fingers crossed

Wish you well, hope you're successful

DanDublin1982

raymick wrote: »

thanks I don't work my husband is in a low paid job and we have another son in secondary school no saving or assets I don't want to send in the forms if I am just wasting my time my daughter received her DA with no questions asked as she has a rare degenerative condition which really gives her very little prospects in terms of ever being able to hold down a job of any significance. it was just something that crossed my mind today after she was diagnosed now with migrane which they want her to stop taking her pain meds as they reckon they are causing some of the problem so now we need to buy a tens machine to manage pain she needs things like a new mattress various strappings and braces and needs to start hydrotherapy all of which cost money including fuel and parking costs to the hospital and doctors its a struggle

Sounds a strong case to me. I'd definitely advise you to make an application.

Kathy m

Hi I applied for carers allowance in March. Back in May i had a request for payslip and letter from work as I was working 12 hrs a week at the time. Would it usually take this long to make a decision on it.

Kathy m

Hi i applied in March for carers allowance and in May was asked to submit bank statement and payslip as i was working 12 hours a week at the time. As of yet i have had no response so almost 5 months since i originally applied. I am now getting paid SWA from social welfare until a decision is made on this. .

mrsbyrne

Kathy m wrote: »

Hi i applied in March for carers allowance and in May was asked to submit bank statement and payslip as i was working 12 hours a week at the time. As of yet i have had no response so almost 5 months since i originally applied. I am now getting paid SWA from social welfare until a decision is made on this. .

Its not unusual to be waiting 9+ months for a desicion from Carers.

myshirt

Something I've often wondered is if you are going to college for 15 rostered hours, do you qualify for carers?
The time commitment is obviously more than 15 hours.

I do know conversely that FIS isn't awarded for teaching for 15 hours at that college, where the time commitment is also more than 15 hours (preparation of lectures, correcting, student queries).

So in one scenario, you are effectively working around 19 hours, but don't get FIS. And in the other, you have a time commitment above 15 hours, but get carers?

Have I that right?

Kathy m

. Heard from them this morning. Refused on medical grounds. Since I originally applied mam has been diagnosed with early stages of dementia and I have given up work. Don't know if I will appeal it. Thanks for your reply.

Kathy m

mrsbyrne wrote: »

Its not unusual to be waiting 9+ months for a desicion from Carers.

Heard back from them this morning. Refused on medical grounds. Since I originally applied mam has been diagnosed with early stages of dementia and I have given up work. Don't know if I will appeal it yet. Thanks for your reply.

mrsbyrne

Kathy m wrote: »

Heard back from them this morning. Refused on medical grounds. Since I originally applied mam has been diagnosed with early stages of dementia and I have given up work. Don't know if I will appeal it yet. Thanks for your reply.

Appeal immediately presenting evidence of the new diagnosis and a letter from yourself describing a day looking after your mam. Do it today. Put in EVERY little thing you do for her.

Kathy m

mrsbyrne wrote: »

Appeal immediately presenting evidence of the new diagnosis and a letter from yourself describing a day looking after your mam. Do it today. Put in EVERY little thing you do for her.

Hi have spoken to the health nurse today and she advised same as yourself. my mams doctor is going to give me a letter of her diagnosis to forward to them so will take it from there and see how I go. Thanks again

raymick

hi went up to the doctor today and he is filling in the form for me so I will send it in see what happens she got disability allowance no questions asked so hopefully this wont be a problem either

ann0

artvanderlay wrote: »

Hi,

I applied for half-rate carer's allowance in early April and was told recently that I will just have to wait a couple of weeks more for a decision. I'm just wondering do they pay backpay immediately when they make a decision or do they drag that out for a few months as well?

Thanks.

i applied for full carers on the 1st april i recieved it last week you need to keep phoning up.i dident get the backdate yet il wait till next week to see if i get that if not citizens advice are going to look into it.

lulu1

raymick wrote: »

Hi was just wondering my daughter is 19 she is in receipt of disability allowance for EDS (ehlers danlos syndrome) i bring her to all her hospital and doctors appointments physio and hydrotherapy and accupuncture chemists and any other appointments associated with her condition, i make sure she takes her tablets everyday and do her exercises with her to keep her mobile all of these things she cannot do for herself do you reckon i could apply for carers allowance[/QUOTE

Hi I dont know if it's changed but you used to have to send all your documents bank statements ect to Longford. Then they send them to your local social welfare inspector and then they will contact you to arrange an appointment.

raymick

that's great Ann0 hope you get your money soon. Do your really reckon you have to ring them all the time, did you need to send in a lot of evidence for your case.

lulu1

raymick wrote: »

thanks I don't work my husband is in a low paid job and we have another son in secondary school no saving or assets I don't want to send in the forms if I am just wasting my time my daughter received her DA with no questions asked as she has a rare degenerative condition which really gives her very little prospects in terms of ever being able to hold down a job of any significance. it was just something that crossed my mind today after she was diagnosed now with migrane which they want her to stop taking her pain meds as they reckon they are causing some of the problem so now we need to buy a tens machine to manage pain she needs things like a new mattress various strappings and braces and needs to start hydrotherapy all of which cost money including fuel and parking costs to the hospital and doctors its a struggle

hi dose your daughter have a primary medical certificate if not you should apply

ann0

raymick wrote: »

that's great Ann0 hope you get your money soon. Do your really reckon you have to ring them all the time, did you need to send in a lot of evidence for your case.

hi raymick
i sent in as much evidence as i could.it took 4 months but i got it through 2 weeks ago.im still waiting on the backdate.im not sure if im going to get that though.il contact citizens advice on monday about the backdate.anyone who is claiming should keep ringing them every now and again it does help.

ann0

it now seems that they are behind on backdates.

raymick

have you heard anything else ann0 my daughter got her disabilities allowance last September and she got everything together in the one envelope bus pass and cheque for her arrears we didn't need to wait like most I don't know why I never once rang them but it did take 7 months

raymick

should i receive a text to say that my application was received i didnt hear anything and dont know if they got it or not sent it last week

ann0

i never got an offical letter to say i got it.it just appeared in the post office.they are doing their best to hold on to the backdate.they are saying there was an overpayment which there wasent.that was handy getting the cheque at the same time.give them a call to ask whats happening and keep doing that.they are very slow

LegacyUser

Is it a good sign if they have your application 5 months and last week asked for all up to date bank statements

Mam of 4

I have to go to an Oral Hearing for my appeal. Does anyone know how ;ong the keep you in there for and is it really traumatic? Sorry , but am petrified

ann0

dont let them talk down to you.and if they do ask them to talk to you in a decent manner.sometimes these people think they are above the rest of us.you just go in and say what you have to say.contact the citizens advice they should be able to help.best of to have someone with you.

Mam of 4

ann0 wrote: »

dont let them talk down to you.and if they do ask them to talk to you in a decent manner.sometimes these people think they are above the rest of us.you just go in and say what you have to say.contact the citizens advice they should be able to help.best of to have someone with you.

Thank you. I really am petrified , I always get emotional when talking about my son and am afraid that I'll come out saying oh I should have told them about x y or z. Maybe I'd be best to write stuff down? I dunno.

Thank you again.

ann0

let us know how it goes.but do bring someone with you.if someone from c.a went with you they could talk on your hehalf

Mam of 4

I will let you know don't worry, Thank you for your advice , I just find it hard speaking about my son as he is an adult now. Hopefully all will go well. Thanks again

Mam of 4

Quick update, had my oral appeal hearing, got letter to state it was approved ! Really am so grateful , wan't as bad an experience as I thought, hope all goes well for everyone else.

raymick

thats great news i suppose it was more of a chat than a grilling

Mam of 4

raymick wrote: »

thats great news i suppose it was more of a chat than a grilling

Thank you, yes, had a lovely man, very understanding, really put me at ease. Well, as much at ease as you can be

Have you heard anything further yourself ?

raymick

no i havent heard a thing so far

Mam of 4

raymick wrote: »

no i havent heard a thing so far

I got word back originally after four months , so hopefully you won't have to wait too much longer for a decision.

raymick

I rang yesterday they got my application on the 7th august and she said they are on july at the moment so hopefully not too long now

raymick

I got a request today for bank statements and credit union statements so hopefully that's a good sign might not be too long now it was just over a week ago when I first rang and they said they were behind then got a letter this morning so have 21 days to organise, so have to be quick as I am going into hospital for an operation the end of the month would be nice to have everything sorted by then.

Kathy m

Update on Carers . Sent back more information early August ' Gave them a call today and was told ' everything has been sent back to social welfare in Tipp they will give me a call regarding carers application and it will then be sent back to the deciding officer. So we wait and see how long my local social welfare takes. :-)

Nelly 21

raymick wrote: »

I rang yesterday they got my application on the 7th august and she said they are on july at the moment so hopefully not too long now

Raymick I would keep ringing them. I got mine approved after a long wait. I also got TDS to call on my behalf. Also keep in touch regularly with them. It's a stressful time and I hope all goes well for you

raymick

i received a request for my bank statement so I have to send them back in so hopefully not long now after they receive them do you think that is a good sign

Kathy m

I hope for you that it is. When i sent on bank statements i heard back after 6 weeks so hopefully you will get some good news this side of Christmas. I was refused due to medical issues , that was in July last , during that time mam was diagnosed with Alzimers. So i sent back for a review end of July. But i was told a review on medical grounds could take anything to 3 months. I do hope you get some good news soon .

Nelly 21

raymick wrote: »

i received a request for my bank statement so I have to send them back in so hopefully not long now after they receive them do you think that is a good sign

They need to update records for your means test. I'm afraid I cant answer your question because the first time they asked me for up to date statements I was turned down. Then after my review they requested statements and it was passed. Make sure to have copies of everything you give them. Give as much info on everything that you can. Best of luck and let us know hiw you go!