Taking early retirement to care for elderly parent

Peig Sayers

Next year I intend to take early retirement in order to take care of my very elderly mother and was hoping to apply for Carers Benefit. I will be receiving a lump sum from my employer (approx 2 years wages). I don't know whether this will have any effect on my application? Is it means-tested? Also, I live with my partner. Will their salary scupper my chances of getting this? I'd like to keep this lump sum without touching it as I won't be getting any job pension (tiny!) for another three years . I still need to pay my bills though. Any ideas?

livemusic4life

Peig Sayers wrote: »

Next year I intend to take early retirement in order to take care of my very elderly mother and was hoping to apply for Carers Benefit. I will be receiving a lump sum from my employer (approx 2 years wages). I don't know whether this will have any effect on my application? Is it means-tested? Also, I live with my partner. Will their salary scupper my chances of getting this? I'd like to keep this lump sum without touching it as I won't be getting any job pension (tiny!) for another three years . I still need to pay my bills though. Any ideas?

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/carers/carers_benefit.html

Just don't tell them you're taking early retirement, as its a temporary payment only for those who have to leave work. It does appear to be means tested, but carers allowance, which you should go on after 105 weeks of carers benefit is means tested

haveringchick

Peig Sayers wrote: »

Next year I intend to take early retirement in order to take care of my very elderly mother and was hoping to apply for Carers Benefit. I will be receiving a lump sum from my employer (approx 2 years wages). I don't know whether this will have any effect on my application? Is it means-tested? Also, I live with my partner. Will their salary scupper my chances of getting this? I'd like to keep this lump sum without touching it as I won't be getting any job pension (tiny!) for another three years . I still need to pay my bills though. Any ideas?

Hi
Carers Benefit isn't means tested so your income savings or that of your other half won't come into play
You can have CB for 104 weeks
Have a lovely retirement and a happy Christmas to you and your mother

Peig Sayers

haveringchick wrote: »

Hi
Carers Benefit isn't means tested so your income savings or that of your other half won't come into play
You can have CB for 104 weeks
Have a lovely retirement and a happy Christmas to you and your mother

Thanks for your help! I had a look at the application form and it does not ask for my mother's doctor details? Do they just take my word for it that she needs help or will they then send out another form to be completed?

How far in advance should I make the application?

endofrainbow

make the application as soon as you can - it cant take up to 6 months to get approval (although waiting times are slightly less now) but it should be backdated to date of application.

They will request other documentation and may also need to do a medical assessment.

It's a long drawn out process so apply as soon as you can and be patient !

Peig Sayers

endofrainbow wrote: »

make the application as soon as you can - it cant take up to 6 months to get approval (although waiting times are slightly less now) but it should be backdated to date of application.

They will request other documentation and may also need to do a medical assessment.

It's a long drawn out process so apply as soon as you can and be patient !

Thanks! I'm not leaving until August so should I apply in February?

shar01

Just to throw this into the ring. A colleague took voluntary redundancy to look after elderly mother. Reckoned with small occupational pension and carer's benefit, he'd get by. But then the mother went into nursing home and carer's stopped.

I don't know full background and everyone's case is different but I know he's struggling and looking for work.

So please have a plan b.

Peig Sayers

Peig Sayers wrote: »

Thanks for your help! I had a look at the application form and it does not ask for my mother's doctor details? Do they just take my word for it that she needs help or will they then send out another form to be completed?

How far in advance should I make the application?

At the very bottom of the application form, there is a section for a Medical Report. You take this and your mother to her doctor and he will go through it with you. Waiting time at the moment is approx 4 months. You can only work 12 hours a week while on it. Page 29 of this http://www.welfare.ie/en/pdf/cr1.pdf

Peig Sayers

Deleted User wrote: »

At the very bottom of the application form, there is a section for a Medical Report. You take this and your mother to her doctor and he will go through it with you. Waiting time at the moment is approx 4 months. You can only work 12 hours a week while on it. Page 29 of this http://www.welfare.ie/en/pdf/cr1.pdf

Thanks, I missed that bit .

haveringchick

Peig Sayers wrote: »

Thanks! I'm not leaving until August so should I apply in February?

It only takes 6 months plus for Carers Allowance
You can ring Carers Benefit at 1890927770 they will be glad to advise you
Press button 4

haveringchick

[Deleted User] wrote: »

At the very bottom of the application form, there is a section for a Medical Report. You take this and your mother to her doctor and he will go through it with you. Waiting time at the moment is approx 4 months. You can only work 12 hours a week while on it. Page 29 of this http://www.welfare.ie/en/pdf/cr1.pdf

15 hours per week work permitted

haveringchick

shar01 wrote: »

Just to throw this into the ring. A colleague took voluntary redundancy to look after elderly mother. Reckoned with small occupational pension and carer's benefit, he'd get by. But then the mother went into nursing home and carer's stopped.

I don't know full background and everyone's case is different but I know he's struggling and looking for work.

So please have a plan b.

Yes. If the caree is hospitalised for more than 13 weeks the benefit will stop
People also die

haveringchick

haveringchick wrote: »

15 hours per week work permitted

I stand corrected.