Carers Allowance Query

[Allypally67]

Hi All,
Don't know if anyone on here knows as I can't seem to find the info anywhere else but as the National living wage comes in on April 1st will the earnings threshold for claiming Carers Allowance be raised?
I care for my mum who has AD and she has just put in a claim for AA and I was advised that if she got that (which I haven't heard yet!) I could claim Carers Allowance.
However I work 16 hours a week on minimum wage which is currently £107.20 a week,
this will rise to £115.20 and I believe the threshold to be £110!
Just wondered if that is being raised or not?
It seems unfair if it doesn't as surely it will mean a lot of carers will lose this benefit if they don't!
If anyone does know it might be of interest to many on here not just me.
Thanks.

 

[nitram]

I've not heard of any plans to raise the threshold.

Remember that half of any money paid into a pension scheme does not count.

Even if you are not in a scheme paying £10.40/Wk into one would bring your eligible income to below the threshold thereby retaining the £62.10/Wk carer's allowance. You would also get a small extra pension on retirement.

Don't sign anything that you can't get out of at a later date if circumstances change.

 

[1mindy]

Think its unlikely when so many benefits are being eaten into . Maybe thats the idea so many more will be unable to claim and reduce the government spending on benefits

 

[Selinacroft]

I understand the earnings limit will remain unchanged but open up a private pension plan or participate in a work scheme where you can make contributions and you can off set half of any pension contributions you make. If your earnings are over by £10.00 then you need to pay £20.00 per month into a pension scheme. I would allow a few pounds extra as a safety net as if you go over one month due to unexpected wage adjustments the DWP will be after you.
Sorry just realised this has already been suggested.