Claiming carers allowance for a neighbour

E

Emiso

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I was reading on another discussion forum about someone who said that they had been granted carers allowance to look after a neighbours child with special needs.
In addition the neighbour employs the person to do another 15 hours as it is also permitted for claimants to work this number of hours and still receive the allowance.

My understanding of carers allowance was that the applicant must be living with or in a position to provide full time care and attention to a dependent person.

I would appreciate clarity on this as I know several families that are paying large amounts of money( without tax relief) to employ people to care for their dependent loved ones and would be delighted to discover that their employees could also claim carers allowance.
 
Hi Emiso...

Yes, the carer may work for up to fifteen hours per week, and still claim Carers... Thank God... Sometimes that outlet away from the person being cared for, is what helps the carer to retain their sanity, as I know from experience!.... I think it has to be work other than caring for that person though... I could be wrong, but I think that's the position...

No, the carer doesn't have to live with the person they're caring for... The only proviso is that there be a direct way for the cared for person to contact the carer, ie a phone line or mobile phone...

Anyway the advice is as always, if in doubt, apply...

Hope this helps...

Darth...
 
Re: Claiming carers allowance caring for neighbourur

From:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/c...cial-welfare-payments/carers/carers_allowance
In order to be entitled to a Carer's Allowance:

  • You must be living with, or in a position to provide full-time care and attention to a person in need of care who does not normally live in an institution. However, you may continue to be regarded as providing full-time care and attention, if you or the person being cared for is undergoing medical or other treatment in a hospital or other institution for a period not longer than 13 weeks.
  • You must be resident in the State
  • You must not live in a hospital, convalescent home or other similar institution
  • You must be at least 18 years old and
  • You must not be engaged in employment, self-employment, training or education courses outside the home for more than 15 hours a week. During your absence, adequate care for the person requiring full-time care and attention must be arranged.
 
Thanks Darthvader,

Just to clarify that it is the person employed to mind the child and not the mother of the child that is claiming the carers allowance.
 
You're very welcome, Emiso....

It's pretty straightforward to apply... Just try to get the consultant that the child attends, or his or her registrar to fill in the medical details section of the form... For some reason, the Dept. of Social and Family Affairs seem to take then more seriously than the GP...

The very best of luck with it...

Darth....
 
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Just picking up on something the OP wrote :
I know several families that are paying large amounts of money( without tax relief) to employ people to care for their dependent loved ones
Click to expand...
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There is a tax relief of up to €50,000 where a person is employed to take care of an incapacitated person. If more than one family member is paying the cost, they can share the allowance. The relief is at 20%.
 
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And don't forget if caring for a child, the child (mother of child) must be in receipt of Domicillary Care Allowance before Carer's Allowance is granted
 
Thanks for all the advice Darth, Gervan and Blacksheep.

Unfortunately friends were not eligible for tax relief as carers employed to provide companionship and household duties for elderly relatives as opposed to personal care to very incapacitated person.
 
I still think tax relief should be available. If the elderly relative is over 65, that is defined as incapacitated, and the phrase in the tax acts just says " for the purpose of having care of the individual", nothing about what kind of care.
 
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