Moral dilemma

www.welfareweekly.com/shocking-97-of-eligible-carers-missing-out-on-state-pension-boost/

I've just seen this on a welfare weekly email.
I thought some of you might be interested, and in other articles on the site.

Do not feel guilty about applying Luckygirl. The Allowance would not cover what you do for your DH I am sure, and as others have said its so useful for extra expenditure that you wouldn't have if he was fit and well. The forms are so extensive and repetitive that I'm sure it's designed to put people off. People do not like admitting how badly they manage tasks either, but it is fortunate that you have the skill to complete them. My mother was reluctant when I did her forms but the extra cash has been useful for heating alone.

My late mother took the Attendance Allowance although she was reasonably well off. It paid for taxis, the weekly cleaner and the gardener. She could not have managed without the extra help, given her heart condition, and it took a load off my mind. Do take the money. It might even pay for small extravagances which would cheer you up.

Hi - and thanks for that. The OT from the falls service has been in and organised the rails etc. and I think one of the lifelines she gave us leaflets for is at minimal cost. She also fitted rails in shower etc. and keysafe. District nurses have given us various mattresses, cushions, bed cradle and other aids. They have all been very efficient and helpful.

Luckygirl, have you had contact with your local authority social care people? If not can I recommend that you contact them about the 'lifeline'. We has a private one for mum originally but then moved to one the LA supplied and also a bed alarm - both to deal with her falls. They have just been so much more efficient than the private one.

Mum pays for them as you are assessed but actually being in contact means they might offer help you never even thought about - one extra grab rail in the right place has helped mum so much. They do work out a maximum you have to pay but once you reach that you will not pay any more which is good to know if you are aware someone may have more issues in the future.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts. If we get it, it will certainly help with using the heating more liberally - at 7 stone, the OH gets very cold indeed, which makes his tremor much worse. It can also go towards the rental of a "lifeline" so that when I go out I know he is safe. At the moment, I unlock all the doors, put a phone in his pocket and take my mobile with me - and I ring in at regular intervals to check he is OK.

I spoke to the PD nurse this morning and she endorses the application and is going to fill her bit in for us. She had no doubt that he qualifies.

I'm so glad you've decided to claim, Luckygirl. And please do not donate it to charity! This is yours and your DH's to put towards a few things that will make your life more comfortable. Taxis, help with the garden, little jobs you may have been putting off. Heating - yes, it's admirable to want to save the planet, but looking after your own health must come first! And if you don't have an immediate need, save it for when you do. This money is your entitlement. Fingers crossed the claim goes through smoothly.

I don't think you should 'claim anything you can' either OldMeg but I do think you should use the system as it is designed. That is the only way systems change.

The system is certainly not all about giving money to those who don't need it. It also deprives people who need it of help. Not applying will not help those people. Anything that encourages a simpler, better system will help others who cannot get the help that, in the first instance, was intended for people in their situation.

AgeUk and CAB can help you fill in the form and it is advisable to use them though I'm sure Lucky knows enough about the buzz words to do her own.

I was turned down the first time, I was told this is not unusual.
I didn't appeal, just applied again quite soon afterwards with no problem, just had a phone call asking for bank details.

I’m not in agreement with the ‘claim anything you can’ mind set, but having read all your posts on this thread I’d say go ahead and claim.

You’ve obviously thought about this carefully, and you’re not rich and this could make life a bit more comfortable for you both.

It is still worth applying for CA even if your are receiving state pension as, if you are eligible, it may still benefit you although you cannot get Carer's Allowance per se. There are underlying entitlements. If you are on a low income it can increase any means-tested benefits you are currently getting or mean you become entitled to means-tested benefits for the first time (depending on your and any partner's income and capital). This is because having the 'underlying entitlement' to Carer's Allowance means that a Carer Addition will be included when working out whether you are entitled to means-tested benefits.

*https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/financial-support/help-with-benefits/other-pension-age-benefits

I wonder if enough people know to appeal, thus making a lot of extra work, has tipped the balance of the money saved by turning down everyone, except the really obvious, first time around. (If that makes sense!)

CA is a 'replacement' benefit, intended to replace earnings lost when someone takes up a caring role.

Lucky, when my hub became disabled we were encouraged to apply for AA, although financially we were stable. However we did, and now receive a monthly sum which we have found to be very useful. We had to have a stairlift installed which was rather expensive but very necessary. I was also urged to apply for CA, did, received a letter after 10 weeks waiting to say that because I receive a state pension (which I have paid into since I was 15 years of age, now in my 70s) I will not be awarded any allowance at all. I am now my hubs carer, must be saving the State a fortune. I also have a blue badge and a taxi card which enables us to travel at discounted cost. Bottom line is accept all the help that is offered, I wish you well.

I’m so glad you’re going ahead with it, lucky. In my book anything that can facilitate an easier and better quality of life for you automatically benefits your OH anyway. Just think about how much you’re saving the state by just doing what you do for him every day without even thinking anything of it.

I'm glad that you are applying for it because it would not help anyone else if you refused it anyway - no-one will get extra because you refuse.

Paying for extra help even with jobs such as gardening, cleaning, can be very expensive and you may be very glad that you applied and (hopefully) got this benefit. It could free up some of your time so that you can have more time for your DH. You could put some on one side if you need to adapt your home, or for some respite care.

You'll know to appeal if you're turned down, luckygirl. I think they work on the premise that some don't, thus saving money.

It will be ironic if he does not get it as I have never failed yet!

Exactly Lucky, no wonder people give up, there is the moral dilemma for many of us that combines with the difficulties presented but the forms to lead to a decision not to even try.

I have just been filling in the form - that brought back memories of my social work career - how many of those darned things have I filled in!?

No wonder people give up on it!

You don’t have to either work or contribute to qualify for non means tested, non contributory benefits. You just have to qualify based on the needs arising from your disabilities. A young couple could have a baby with very severe disabilities and needs and no one would say they or the baby were not entitled to help would they because the couple hadn’t worked for long and the baby not at all.

I would claim it too. As others have said you can donate some to charities of your choice, save some for a rainy day and use the rest to make your lives easier in any way you can. If you have both worked and contributed over the years you are entitled to it. Dont feel guilty.

I would claim it Luckygirl as your Partner is entitled to it. What you could do if you do not currently need the money, is to save it in a separate account for any emergencies i.e. any future adaptations to your home to make things easier for your Partner should their health deteriorate, or even respite care if there ever comes a time when it is needed. Worth thinking ahead just in case.

Volunteer drivers will also take people to Lunch Clubs, Day Centres - in fact most places if there is a free driver and charge 45p (????) per mile. But you do need to prebook.