I have now been medically retired from work due to my RA. My partner, who works full time, gets in from work and starts all over again looking after me. Can anyone tell me if my partner can claim "Carers Allowance" even though they are in full time employment ?
Also, were do we stand regarding Council Tax? Any reductions available ? All help would be greatly appreciated, Thanx Jackie xx

Jackie ...
See the latest NRAS magazine for details of carers allowance .
Katy -NRAS also posted the info here .. Carers Allowance.

At present, as stated in that article, your partner will be eligible for carers allowance if he earns less than £100 pw (after care costs ,tax, NI, and pension etc) and YOU are on Middle Rate or High rate Care components of DLA , and provides regular and substantive care of 35 hrs or more per week.

With regard Council Tax Reduction ... it is possible that if you have your home adapted for you to be able to live there then you could get a reduction.. see here ...Council Tax Reduction. It is possible if you have a carer other than your partner that you could get a discount from your Council Tax aswell if they stay regularly overnight.

Have you applied for DLA ?.
Have you applied for ESA , since at the moment ESA (contribution based) is not time limited . This would be dependant on your medical retirement package .
Dependant on your income and your partners income and capital , you might be eligible for help with a mortgage or Housing Benefit (if renting) and Council Tax Benefit.
See ..
DLA
ESA

NRAS DLA Booklet
Benefits and RA NRAS Booklet

If on High rate Mobility of DLA then you could "swap" the money for a motability car .
If you are struggling around the house or have care needs , then have you asked your local Adult Social Services for a "Needs Assessment". They should come to your house and as the name suggests assess your needs.
Disabled Facilities Grants .. for adaptations to your home .

There are so many possibilities that depend on your circumstance, income etc , that a visit to an advice centre may be worth your while ..:)

Very good page to look on ... here ...Disabled People.Direct.gov

Hope this helps


Rich :)

Hi Naomi ..
that is in National Legislation so every Council should be doing it and will not have a choice in the matter..see link as above for Council Tax reduction.

One of the qualifying criteria : "a room (other than a bathroom, kitchen or toilet) required to meet the needs of the disabled person, and used predominantly by them"

and also this part of the link : "An extra room does not need to have been specially built. But your home will not qualify for a reduction unless the 'essential or of major importance' test above is met. For example, simply rearranging rooms is unlikely to make your home eligible for a reduction."


Rich :)