Jobseekers Causual to Carers

Samkl22

Hello.
I've posted over on carers but thought this particular question might be better suited to here.

I've been caring for mam since September 2015. Was let go from work in December 2015 and have been on casual dockets since. I work 10 hours over 2 days most weeks and 1 week per month I get no work.

Mam has had a fairly rapid health decline in the past few weeks culminating in a dementia diagnosis on top of cancer and diabetes. She had 2 falls this week which prompted me to look into a way to be with her full time. I have 1 brother who doesn't help, I'm single no dependent children and I live next door to her (been sleeping in her house since February)

I got the carers allowance filled out today by the GP and I do t know what to do about the JSA payment? It says carers may take months to sort and I have no income and no savings (mam just has widows pension). We won't be able to live without the JSA. I have a home help cleaning the 2 mornings I work. I feel the clock may be ticking there too if she keeps falling and forgetting to use the bathroom. However, as of now I will be going to work next week anyway.

Who should I contact? Is it possible I could be left with no payment for months? I am up to my eyeballs now and am in no position to look for other work so it doesn't feel right getting the JSA.

Can't find any info about switching online.

Cheers and thanks in advance.

sandra06

not sure if this helps ,,my brothers wife was diganoised with cancer (needs full time care now )he was working full time and had to cut his hours to look after his wife so if he worked for 2 days a week he got 3/4 days for social welfare ,applied for careers allowence before christmas 2015,,only got approved in may2016 nearly 6 mths waiting for it but while he was waiting he got social welfare payment,, he did have to drop more hours in work most hours he could work is 11 a week ,,, he spoke to citzens advice about what he can apply for and he found them very helpfull best advice i can give you is phone them they seem to know what you need to do before you talk to social welfare ,,he now gets full careers and can work 11 hours a week before it affects his payment best of luck to you

njs030

The cwo can organise payment while you wait for carers to be approved.
You can work up to 15 hours a week.

eastbono

You can continue to receive a JA payment while waiting on the outcome of your Carers application.

smjm

eastbono wrote: »

You can continue to receive a JA payment while waiting on the outcome of your Carers application.

Indeed, that was my personal experience as well, when I moved from JSA to Carer's Allowance. I asked the CWO what to do and they said just carry on with the JSA until my Carer's was approved.

Samkl22 - I know exactly what you're going through and how tough it is! Just get your Carer's application in as soon as possible and stay on JSA in the meantime. If you're worried, ask at your local Intreo office for confirmation. Best of luck to you and your Mum!