Does Carers allowance require a means test

jimjangles

Hi
I'm currently on jobseekers allowance and am looking to go on carers allowance.
I was wondering do the social welfare do a fresh means test on you when you apply for carers allowance if you're already on jobseekers allowance.
The problem is I've saved some money over the years and I'm concerned that if a fresh means test is done that they'll look at my savings and I'll get less money than I'm currently getting on jobseekers allowance.
I'd love to get a job if I could but I need to be here for the person I'm living with, they need me to be around.

Plugguy

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

jimjangles

I've seen that page before.
What I wanted to know was: if I'm already getting jobseekers allowance and switching to carer's allowance are my means reassessed?
Thanks for trying to help but that doesn't tell me the answer.

pl4ichjgy17zwd

You can have 20,000 before any deductions are made.

jimjangles

So I'll get penalised if I become a carer that's basically the way it is then isn't it

splinter65

jimjangles wrote: »

So I'll get penalised if I become a carer that's basically the way it is then isn't it

The means test for Carers is €332.50 if your single. If your single on JSA then you only have €198 max.
If you have €50000 say in savings then your “means” is put at €70 per week so your Carers Allowance is going to be €144. You can’t have big sums of money in the bank and expect to get full payments. You’ll also be getting free travel and possibly free tv license and electricity and respite care grant €1700 so it’s a good payment

Hitman3000

Loveinapril wrote:

If you were able to "save" over €20,000 while on Job Seekers then something is amiss.

Redundancy payment?

jimjangles

No redundancy payment no and no I don't have 50k not that much lol.
Ok thanks for the info guys.
At least now I can make an informed decision on what to do next.

Turnipman

jimjangles wrote: »

Hi
I'm currently on jobseekers allowance and am looking to go on carers allowance.

I'd love to get a job if I could but I need to be here for the person I'm living with, they need me to be around.

So, would it be correct to say that you're currently defrauding the Department of Social Protection because you're not really available for work, which is a core precondition for getting Jobseekers Allowance?

pl4ichjgy17zwd

Turnipman wrote:

So, would it be correct to say that you're currently defrauding the Department of Social Protection because you're not really available for work, which is a core precondition for getting Jobseekers Allowance?

AlsoI think you're supposed to notify the department of any change in your financial circumstances anyway

jimjangles

Saving some money isn't what I'd call a change in financial situation. It was a very gradual thing that I never really thought about. Anyway I came asking for advice not to be judged. I don't like the tone a lot of the people on this thread are taking. I'm going to stop following this. A lot of nasty judgemental people here. I was never asked how much money I saved. I never hid anything. I've always been honest about everything all my life. I'm probably more honest than most of the people who are criticizing me here.

pl4ichjgy17zwd

jimjangles wrote:

Saving some money isn't what I'd call a change in financial situation. It was a very gradual thing that I never really thought about. Anyway I came asking for advice not to be judged. I don't like the tone a lot of the people on this thread are taking. I'm going to stop following this. A lot of nasty judgemental people here. I was never asked how much money I saved. I never hid anything. I've always been honest about everything all my life. I'm probably more honest than most of the people who are criticizing me here.

It's not criticizing to tell you the situation. The savings limit for JSA and carer's is the same: 20,000. You implied in your postings that a 'fresh' means test would hinder you financially. If your savings are under that, there's no issue. If they're over, you should have notified the department anyway. That's the crux of it.

jules86

Is the savings your only means? If so the first 20k are Disregarded the next 10k is at €1 per 1000, next 10 at €2 per 1000 and over 40k is at €4per 1000 so for eg if you had 80k in bank your means would be 10x1 + 10x2 + 40x4= €190 as mentioned above the Disregard for a single person is 332.50 so you would be under the means limit, and would get full payment

Klonker

jimjangles wrote: »

Saving some money isn't what I'd call a change in financial situation. It was a very gradual thing that I never really thought about. Anyway I came asking for advice not to be judged. I don't like the tone a lot of the people on this thread are taking. I'm going to stop following this. A lot of nasty judgemental people here. I was never asked how much money I saved. I never hid anything. I've always been honest about everything all my life. I'm probably more honest than most of the people who are criticizing me here.

Well you're on jobseekers allowance and you're not looking for a job so you're not as honest as you like to think you are.

fryup

^^^^^^^^^^^

well in fairness, he's not the only one....half the people on JSA aren't actively seeking employment