partner recently diagnosed with dementis

dostbury2

Registered User
Sep 13, 2015
25
0
It's been over two years since there was evidence of dementia with my partner. It has only been three weeks since it has been confirmed. I would like some idea that if I was eligible for cares allowance, how do I get this, and how long does it take. I feel more than a little bitter about this, due to the fact that all the family had suspicions about the eventual outcome of the tests over eighteen months ago. I get the feeling that someone has saved the NHS a lot of money.
 

Beate

Registered User
May 21, 2014
12,179
0
London
For you to receive Carers Allowance, your partner will first have to be in receipt of Attendance Allowance or equivalent. This is not means-tested but needs-based and the form needs to be filled in carefully with the worst day in mind, preferably with the help of a charity who know the forms inside out.
https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance/overview

Once that is approved, you can apply for Carers Allowance if you care for more than 35 hours a week (no proof needed) and earn less than £110 a week (proof needed). If you are in receipt of State Pension, you will not get the money, only an underlying entitlement to an increase in certain other benefits.
https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/overview
 

canary

Registered User
Feb 25, 2014
25,018
0
South coast
Hello dostbury and welcome to Talking Point.

Unfortunately it can take a while for dementia to be diagnosed. I wish it were easier, but but it seems to be quite common for a delay.

About carers allowance. First your partner needs to get either Attendance Allowance (if she is receiving state pension) or Disability Living Allowance/PIP at the middle rate for care before you can get Carers Allowance, so that is the place to start.

Once your partner has this then you can claim CA, but although it is not means tested as such, you cannot claim if you earn more than £110 per week (costs for caring whilst you are working and 50% of any pension paid is disregarded).

The forms for AA/DLA/PIP are not easy to fill in - you have to fill it in according to the worst day. I would also recommend that you get CAB to give you a hand. The form for claiming CA is, however, much easier and can be filled in online.
 

dostbury2

Registered User
Sep 13, 2015
25
0
dostbury2

Thank you all for the info. I recieve a state pension which is in excess of 110 pound a week is this taken into account. I actually don not earn anything. Thanks dostbury2
Hello dostbury and welcome to Talking Point.

Unfortunately it can take a while for dementia to be diagnosed. I wish it were easier, but but it seems to be quite common for a delay.

About carers allowance. First your partner needs to get either Attendance Allowance (if she is receiving state pension) or Disability Living Allowance/PIP at the middle rate for care before you can get Carers Allowance, so that is the place to start.

Once your partner has this then you can claim CA, but although it is not means tested as such, you cannot claim if you earn more than £110 per week (costs for caring whilst you are working and 50% of any pension paid is disregarded).

The forms for AA/DLA/PIP are not easy to fill in - you have to fill it in according to the worst day. I would also recommend that you get CAB to give you a hand. The form for claiming CA is, however, much easier and can be filled in online.
 

canary

Registered User
Feb 25, 2014
25,018
0
South coast
Thank you all for the info. I recieve a state pension which is in excess of 110 pound a week is this taken into account. I actually don not earn anything. Thanks dostbury2

OK, if you receive state pension then you cant get Carers Allowance, Im afraid, though I believe that you can get an underlying entitlement (as Beate said). Have a look at the links she posted.
 

Scarlett123

Registered User
Apr 30, 2013
3,802
0
Essex
OK, if you receive state pension then you cant get Carers Allowance, Im afraid, though I believe that you can get an underlying entitlement (as Beate said). Have a look at the links she posted.

If you get Pension Credit, along with your State Pension, your Underlying Entitlement is worth something, somewhere between £25 - £30.
 

Kevinl

Registered User
Aug 24, 2013
6,050
0
Salford
Hi dostbury2, welcome to TP
There may be other benefits available, your partner now it's been diagnosed he/she should get some form of Personal Independence Payments (generally called PIP).
There's also Attendance Allowance your partner may be eligible for depending on circumstances.
You need to get some advise in a situation where you're prepared to discuss your personal situation, so I'd suggest you contact your local Citizens Advise Bureau or AgeUK, you may be entitled to a number of things like reduced council tax but to know what you might get from the people on here might mean you need to put too much personal information.
As said Beate's links are a good place to start.
I don't quite get "the family had suspicions about the eventual outcome of the tests over eighteen months ago. I get the feeling that someone has saved the NHS a lot of money" possibly you don't want to discuss it and further, but I'm sensing something that's not all good in the background in your current situation.
K
 

dostbury2

Registered User
Sep 13, 2015
25
0
dostbury2

[Hi Kevinal it was a shock when told your partner has dementia regardless of how long it took to get to this point.
I felt let down but will get over it. It's nice to be able to speak to you all out there with similar problems, I do appreciate your responses. Thanks dostbury2QUOTE=Kevinl;1165151]Hi dostbury2, welcome to TP
There may be other benefits available, your partner now it's been diagnosed he/she should get some form of Personal Independence Payments (generally called PIP).
There's also Attendance Allowance your partner may be eligible for depending on circumstances.
You need to get some advise in a situation where you're prepared to discuss your personal situation, so I'd suggest you contact your local Citizens Advise Bureau or AgeUK, you may be entitled to a number of things like reduced council tax but to know what you might get from the people on here might mean you need to put too much personal information.
As said Beate's links are a good place to start.
I don't quite get "the family had suspicions about the eventual outcome of the tests over eighteen months ago. I get the feeling that someone has saved the NHS a lot of money" possibly you don't want to discuss it and further, but I'm sensing something that's not all good in the background in your current situation.
K[/QUOTE]
 

IanDB

Registered User
Sep 16, 2015
13
0
Southport
Hi dostbury, I think I know exactly how you're feeling - it does seem to take forever to reach a definite diagnosis, waiting for appointments with various specialists, back & forth to the GP etc,etc (and all the time you're thinking "I know there's something wrong, why won't anyone tell us what it is"). For me it's been the feeling of helplessness that's been the hardest to cope with over the last few years. I have no solution to this problem, only sympathy for your situation.
I concur with the other posters' suggestions re Citizens Advice etc & would also suggest that you investigate whether there is a local Alzheimers Society office in your area - we have had some very good advice & information from that source. Where we live there is also an independent carers charity who assist with advice, completing forms and so on - again, our local Alzheimers Society office were very helpful about providing contact details for this.
I hope you find someone who can help you to obtain the assistance you require.
 

dostbury2

Registered User
Sep 13, 2015
25
0
Hi dostbury, I think I know exactly how you're feeling - it does seem to take forever to reach a definite diagnosis, waiting for appointments with various specialists, back & forth to the GP etc,etc (and all the time you're thinking "I know there's something wrong, why won't anyone tell us what it is"). For me it's been the feeling of helplessness that's been the hardest to cope with over the last few years. I have no solution to this problem, only sympathy for your situation.
I concur with the other posters' suggestions re Citizens Advice etc & would also suggest that you investigate whether there is a local Alzheimers Society office in your area - we have had some very good advice & information from that source. Where we live there is also an independent carers charity who assist with advice, completing forms and so on - again, our local Alzheimers Society office were very helpful about providing contact details for this.
I hope you find someone who can help you to obtain the assistance you require.
Thanks for the info IanDB I have the form for AA and will go to the CAB next week.
 

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