Carers allowance

iamtony

Hi I've trying to look back a few pages to see if it's already been discussed but can't find anything so apologies if its a repeat question.

I sent in the application yesterday and received a text today saying they received the application. So I'm wondering what's the average turn around time on a decision? I'm wondering is it worth chasing the suplimentary welfare allowance...

Other question is do they look for a statement for revolut? I didn't bother listing it but it appeares on my normal statement quite a bit.

TooTired123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058229999/carers-allowance

The turn around on carers at the moment would be in the months instead of weeks. If you and your household have no other income at all then yes, you should apply for SWA but the means test is very tight.

Send details of your Revolut account, don’t forget to attach your PPSN so they can add it to your application. Carers allowance is means tested on all your income and savings after disregards.

endofrainbow

Turnaround is quite long due to the amount of work and checking involved. You'll be looking at a few months.

I'd advise disclosing ALL accounts, any irrops will only slow down the process if they need to come back to you about anything.

iamtony

Thanks for the replies. It's amazing so many people are claiming this to make it take months. I should of applied along time ago!

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118543185#Comment_118543185

It's not necessarily the amount of people claiming as such, all payments related to illness, Carer, disibility are taking a very long time to process, the reasons are partly covid interruptions, additional checks required etc.

TooTired123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118543185#Comment_118543185

Dempo is spot on. Most of the applications have to be forwarded to the Medical Officer to have the GP report examined in closer detail. And the Medical Officer is only available occasionally.

Then it may be decided that an Inspector will have to go out and do a home visit before the go ahead is given. The Inspector makes a report and sends it to the Deciding Officer for his/her attention. All of this takes a lot of time. Carers Allowance is a long term payment with a lot of little perks. You’d be amazed how many people apply.

iamtony

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118543923#Comment_118543923

Hopefully it won't come to the home visits and stuff it's a pretty clear cut case and hospital reports showing help needed all day and nappies changed etc. I'm caring for my father who is 90 so fingers crossed its clear cut and it moves alone a bit faster.

Only issue I would say would be the revolut.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118543923#Comment_118543923

Well explained, there's so many additional layers of checking to confirm eligibility and I suppose its understandable albeit admittedly frustrating for applicants 😏

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118544633#Comment_118544633

I'm sure it will work out and depending on the info you've submitted, your father's GP letter etc there shouldn't be a need for a home visit. Re the Revolut account , yes it's wise to submit ALL account details, no matter how small , its important to be aware that all of the New players , such as N26 , revolut and indeed main banks now require your PPSN number when setting up New account's and this in turn means details of any accounts you have are available to Revenue and DEASP .

Good luck with the application

TooTired123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118544633#Comment_118544633

If you’re living with your dad and he’s 90 and there’s no one else living there then it should be straightforward. Don’t worry one bit about the Inspector coming. Nothing to be worried about. Do let them know about the Revolut though

iamtony

Very quick responses from them so far.

I posted it off on Tuesday and received a text wednesday saying they received.

Today(Friday) I got a letter in the post saying some questions weren't answered and a photocopy of them(my partners fault damn her) and it was literally a few nos weren't entered into the box so that's back in the post now and hopefully the rest of it goes as smoothly!

iamtony

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118544964#Comment_118544964

Oh I wouldn't be worried at all of an inspection, when he was in hospital the doctors and social workers etc were all saying how great a job I'm doing and told me to apply for carers.

But unfortunately I'm a self employed Taxi driver(the only reason I can care for him) and my partner works and we have kids and everything so not as straightforward as if it were me and him.

I haven't worked one bit since October when he came out of hospital and living off his pension which may sound great but he doesn't have a medical card or anything and the costs add up!

TooTired123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118545639#Comment_118545639

The good news is that between yourself and your partner you can have €750 income per week and still get all the Carers. The Inspector is only interested in checking that you are in fact caring for your dad and that you haven’t got a Lamborghini parked up in the drive way. That’s it really.

iamtony

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118547400#Comment_118547400

Yeah it's a crappy system. Myself and my missus don't actually share income(her choice) so its really unfair its included in the means test. It really doesn't account for these situations which are common.

Her average wage is 516 and going by my last tax returns i earned 10k so its borderline. Even though her wage has nothing to do with me.

TooTired123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118548553#Comment_118548553

Your combined income is around 710 do you should be fine to get the max payment of Carers. Don’t forget that you as the Carer can’t work any more then 18 1/2 hours a week.

barefoot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118545639#Comment_118545639

If your dad's weekly income is less than €550 he can apply for a Medical Card.

https://www2.hse.ie/services/medical-cards/medical-card-for-over-70s.html

iamtony

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118548664#Comment_118548664

I wish I could work even 1 hour per week!

iamtony

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118548722#Comment_118548722

His pre tax income which is what they used is just over this. After tax its below.

They said I can appeal again based on the criteria for under 65s showing all the expenses and everything but I didn't bother.

iamtony

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118548664#Comment_118548664

And my income is zero at the moment which is what it should be based on not the past when I could work a little bit while the caring wasn't as intensive.

TooTired123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118549283#Comment_118549283

The position of the Dept is that while your partner isn’t sharing her monetary income with you, you “enjoy” the benefits of her income in that you live in comfort with her and your children as a dependent of hers. I’m not saying that I share that position with them, just that that is their point. You cannot be dependent on your partner and dependent on SW at the same time.

Thats how it was explained to me when I was in the same position

iamtony

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118550276#Comment_118550276

Yeah it's crazy. I can hardly say to the missus, look I'm lookin after me da now your gonna have to pay all the bills now.

Anyway no point in complaining about it here anyway it's just the way it is.

Anyway folks thanks for all the advise it's appreciated.

rosie98

hello all! i applied for carer's at the beginning of march (caring for my grandmother who is 80+ yrs old, has mobility issues/mild dementia) and just got a letter in the post stating an officer will be calling for a visit. I'm a bit nervous about this as I have no idea what to expect, just wondering if anyone else has experience with an officer doing a home visit and what exactly happens? thanks a million!

Dempo1

From other posts I've seen on this, you've absolutely nothing to be nervous about. Its customary for a case offer to visit and assess the situation and needs etc and how to confirm you are caring for her prior to making a final decision, the fact they are visiting is a good sign 😉

endofrainbow

They have to make a visit to ensure that you are in fact caring for her. They'll ask you a few questions about your daily routine and what your Grandmother's needs are . They can't ask about her medical needs as they are not medically qualified.

Make sure to tell them everything you do and exactly what her requirements are.

It's not an easy job and kudos to you for doing it.

Gonzo

When applying for the Carers allowance to look after an elderly parent or relative, it is best that you have the form completely filled out including the GP report and send it off. I did that for my father and I had the carers allowance within 10 days of posting the application to them.

Sending off the application without the gp report fully filled in can delay the application by weeks or months.