Financial Support for Carer

[LauraNadine]

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone can help - my Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 2 years ago, he currently receives PIP (higher rate) and mobility. Up until recently my Mom was going in a few times a week to help him out, but she will now be moving away (they've been divorced a long time) so I am going to need to do more. Before now I would go round a couple times a month.

I've had it agreed with my work that I can change my working hours, so that once a fortnight I'll have a day off to spend the entire day at my Dad's to help with whatever he needs - I'll also be going over a couple evenings a week to help with meals etc.

My boss seems to think that I should be entitled to some form of financial support, as I'll now be his main carer but I'm struggling to find anything definitive.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

 

[Cat27]

You need to be caring for someone for at least 35 hours per week to get carers allowance.

https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/overview

 

[Beate]

It's mostly the person with dementia who is entitled. There is Attendance Allowance or in his case PIP, and following that, council tax exemption. He is also entitled to a needs assessment by Social Services (and you are to a carers assessment) which could open the doors to more support. If your Dad is not self-funding, he might receive certain support subsidised.

You yourself would not be entitled to Carers Allowance if you earn more than £110 a week, but you could always ask about certain carers grants or one off payments that may or may not be available in your borough.