Carer's Allowance while on Jobseekers Allowance

Builderfromhell

I have been told by the Social Welfare people who deal with carers' allowance applications that you need to be already working as a carer in order for your application to be successful. If a person is in receipt of Jobseekers allowance can they work as a carer, for an elderly relative, until such time as their application is decided upon?

I understand when in receipt of JA you need to be available for work all the time or will lose benefits. But it seems you have to be already caring for someone to be granted carers allowance.

I hope someone can clarify.

Thanks

Builderfromhell

I called Social Welfare and after being put on hold for 50 minutes I was eventually told that you could not be a carer and be in receipt of the JSA. You would have to sign off but could apply for the SWA while waiting. I understand the Carers allowance can be back-dated from the date of application. They suggested writing a letter letting the Carers Allowance department know that you are currently on JSA and would move in with the career if or when granted the carers allowance.

Seems logical but I had been told that in order to be granted the Carers allowance you need to already be caring for the caree.

endofrainbow

I had been on JSA and took on a caring role and applied for Carer's Allowance. It took 9 month for it to be approved but was backdated to time of application. I never signed off it was automatically transferred when approved.

I'd call back and speak with someone actually within the Carer's Department and see if you get the same answer. Apply as soon as you can because approval can take ages because of the rigorous checks needed.

Understandably, you obviously wouldn't be available for full time work but if the caree needs help now, that's what they need.

Builderfromhell

Thanks endoftherainbow, I have been getting different replies from different people. I was told by the people who deal with carers' allowance that you would not get the allowance unless you were already a carer. Then the next person said you could not get JSA while being a carer albeit while waiting for the carers allowance to be granted or a decision to be made.

If you continued the get JSA while caring and the carers allowance was back-dated to when you made the application you may have then gotten two allowances for that time period.

There seems to be little benefit in applying for the carers allowance while already in receipt of JSA other than it is a legal requirement.

I understand as a live-in carer you could lose your fuel allowance but gain free travel.

endofrainbow

My understanding is you can still claim JSA whilst awaiting a decision on Carer's Allowance. Obviously you would have to be caring for someone to qualify.

Back-dated payment would be pro-rated (but you might qualify for the Carer's Grant). With regard to the fuel allowance, it's per household so if you were living with the person you are caring for, one of you would qualify.

It seems as though you don't want to commit to caring until you're sure you qualify? Who is looking after the person in the meantime?

Builderfromhell

After discussing the matter with Social Welfare earlier today it seems you cannot be actively caring for someone and still in receipt of jobseekers allowance. I understand you can transfer from JSA to Carers allowance and start to care for someone if or when your application has been approved.

It doesn't make a lot of sense to me because I think a person could be caring for someone while on JSA and waiting for a decision on the carers allowance and also actively seeking work.

TooTired123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119711041#Comment_119711041

If someone needs full time care and attention, and you are the person providing them with full time care and attention, then how are you available to travel to interviews and possibly start a full time job at a days notice?

Builderfromhell

I agree Tootired123 but at the same time while waiting for a decision on the carers allowance it seems prudent to be a carer as best one can

TooTired123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119717900#Comment_119717900

You can apply for SWA while your waiting for your carers to be processed. Then you don’t have to be available for work

Builderfromhell

Thanks. Good to know