Carers benefit or allowance?

jimmers23

Hi, I'm thinking of taking time out to look after my special needs child.( Who receives domiciliary care allowance) If for example my husband has a take home salary of 650 euro per week, would I be better off applying for carers allowance or carers benefit? Allowance appears better with fuel allowance, free travel and gp card. Which would suit our needs better? Carers benefit or carers allowance??

burkemg

jimmers23 wrote: »

Hi, I'm thinking of taking time out to look after my special needs child.( Who receives domiciliary care allowance) If for example my husband has a take home salary of 650 euro per week, would I be better off applying for carers allowance or carers benefit? Allowance appears better with fuel allowance, free travel and gp card. Which would suit our needs better? Carers benefit or carers allowance??

Hi if you have been working and paying prsi it's carers benefit at first for the initial two years of your carers s w claim. It's not means tested, however you don't get a free travel pass or fuel allowance. Also it appears at the moment that carers benefit is processed more quickly. Good luck with your application!

jimmers23

Thank you so much, that makes sense. Just one more query. I see there is an increase for a qualified child. Is that an increase if the person you are caring for is a child?? Or children in general? I have 2 children, 1 with additional needs and 1 without. Do you receive the qualified child increase for one or both?? I rang citizens advice but the telephone clerk just kept reading what was online, which to me didn't make it clear. Thank you so much

burkemg

jimmers23 wrote: »

Thank you so much, that makes sense. Just one more query. I see there is an increase for a qualified child. Is that an increase if the person you are caring for is a child?? Or children in general? I have 2 children, 1 with additional needs and 1 without. Do you receive the qualified child increase for one or both?? I rang citizens advice but the telephone clerk just kept reading what was online, which to me didn't make it clear. Thank you so much

You can apply for both children, if they are dependents, from what I know a dependent is a child or young person up to age 22 if they are fully dependent i. e. in full time education, the rate per child is the half rate I think unless that's different for your special needs child. Ask your intreo office locally they'll help you.

jimmers23

Thank you so much for your reply.. I'll try get down there.. thanks for your help