Confused with options.

Lolli2

Hi,

I have just taken a redundancy package with the intention of taking a couple of years out of employment to spend more time/care for my Son who has Autism.
I've tried to make sense of which Social welfare payment I should apply for but I'm so confused.

My husband is in Fulltime employment and I've just got approved for Jobseekers benefit. I applied for it day after I finished work as I wasn't aware of the other options open to me.

We are already in receipt of Domiciliary for him, but he turns 16 in the next 3 weeks so he has had to apply for Disability allowance. Don't know how long this will take!

I think I'm entitled to Carers Benefit?
Is their any point in applying for this now or wait for his application for DA to be approved?
Will waiting affect my claim for Carers?

If I stay on jobseekers I am saying I am available for work?

Any advice greatly appreciated
Thanks

njs030

Getting a jobseekers payment means you should be available for and actively looking for work.

You are able to apply for carers benefit, it's paid on his needs - meaning its paid only if its decided he needs a full time carer so the sooner you apply the better!

splinter65

As above, apply for Carers Benefit as quick as possible, write a letter with your application describing how much extra care and attention your son needs now at this crucial period in his teenage years.
Send plenty of medical evidence.
If you stay on JSB they will have you damned to look for work.

You need go into your local unemployment office and talk things over with them. It’s my understanding that once your sons getting a payment in his own name that you cannot claim carers allowance. Your local office is your best bet.

There’s info here. http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/carers/carers_allowance.html

njs030

[Deleted User] wrote: »

You need go into your local unemployment office and talk things over with them. It’s my understanding that once your sons getting a payment in his own name that you cannot claim carers allowance. Your local office is your best bet.

There’s info here. http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/carers/carers_allowance.html

It's possible to get a carers payment for someone who has a payment in their own name if they are in need of a full time carer.

Op is applying for carers benefit though it applies to both.

splinter65

[Deleted User] wrote: »

You need go into your local unemployment office and talk things over with them. It’s my understanding that once your sons getting a payment in his own name that you cannot claim carers allowance. Your local office is your best bet.

There’s info here. http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/carers/carers_allowance.html

She’s not going to be claiming a child dependent for her son. She’s claiming carers benefit for herself in respect of her son. Her son will be claiming Disabilty Allowance for himself. Where did you get that understanding from the link you posted?

splinter65

splinter65 wrote: »

She’s not going to be claiming a child dependent for her son. She’s claiming carers benefit for herself in respect of her son. Her son will be claiming Disabilty Allowance for himself. Where did you get that understanding from the link you posted?

From knowing someone who lost their carers benefit once their child got disability allowance at age 16.

It’s a complicated system which is why I suggested OP goes to local welfare office for correct advice.

njs030

[Deleted User] wrote: »

From knowing someone who lost their carers benefit once their child got disability allowance at age 16.

It’s a complicated system which is why I suggested OP goes to local welfare office for correct advice.

Perhaps the child was reassessed and no longer needed a full time carer at that stage? That's probably what happened and they got confused or explained it incorrectly.

The idea that a carer becomes ineligible when a person gets their own payment is simply incorrect I'm afraid. Thousands of carers look after a family member who has a disability payment themselves.

njs030

From
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/disability_and_illness/benefits_to_people_who_are_sick_or_have_a_disability.html

"Disability Allowance is a long-term social assistance payment for those aged 16-65 with a disability expected to last at least one year."

And-
"If someone is providing you with full-time care they may qualify for a carer's payment."

splinter65

[Deleted User] wrote: »

From knowing someone who lost their carers benefit once their child got disability allowance at age 16.

It’s a complicated system which is why I suggested OP goes to local welfare office for correct advice.

It’s possible that even though the child was awarded DA, the child was nonetheless regarded as no longer needing full time care and attention.
I have seen this happen in the case of type 1 diabetes. The teenager was not considered well enough to look for work, but it was decided that the teenager didn’t need full time care and attention either. So the parent loses the Carers.
But I think you have become confused about the connection between Carers and Disabilty.
Caree getting Disability and Carer getting Carers payment is actually the most regular arrangement you will find.