Couple both on AA and PC. Get 2xSDP and 2xCP through underlying entitlement. He goes into hospital, after 28 days his AA and SDP stop, her SDP continues. My understanding is that his CP for looking after her stops after a further 8 weeks. However Pension Service tell me that her CP for looking after him will continue after that. Is this right, and if so when will her CP stop?

Thanks in advance.

Carers Allowance allows for breaks in care of up to 12 weeks in any period of 26 weeks (up to 4 out of the 12 weeks can be for respite).

There is then an 8 week extension of the Carers Premium.

There is the potential for the carers premium to continue for up to 20 weeks if this is the first break in caring in the last 26 weeks.

I'm not sure. I thought that AA had to be in payment for CA to be paid, breaks in care or not. This would mean for the above that no CA when the AA ceased but CP for a further 8 weeks. Happy to be told that I'm mistaken. Going back to the original posting, the DWP, appear to be saying that the CP would continue indefinitely! any comments on that interpretation.

Also old chestnut of PC, residential care, 50% of private pension being paid to the spouse at home. We have discussed the law on another thread but how is it working in practice. Are the Pensions Service in your area treating them as maintenance or voluntary payments .

Many thanks

Shaun

I agree with Shaun, CA stops when qualifying benefit stops. Premium can continue for 8 weeks after CA stops.

With regard to treatment of 50% occ pension received from spouse in residential care. I have advised a number of Social Workers on this & ensured they put clear details of what is being done on the PC claim form & the decisions that I have come back with a PC award that clearly ignored the occ pension from the spouse.

Euan

Sorry, my post got a bit mixed up and I'm embarassed to read it now.

HE should continue to receive Carers Allowance for up to 12 weeks in hospital and then have the 8 week premium extension.

I agree with Shaun and Euan about her, unless she was (or he was for that matter) in receipt of ICA and aged over 65 on the 25/10/02, in which case she will continue to receive the underlying entitlement (and premium) whether she provides the care or not.


50% occ pension and res care - the Pensions Service seem to be ignoring it unless it is actually being paid to the spouse in the community.

The Carer Premium can stay in payment for 8 weeks following the cessation of AA due to hospitalisation.
The 8 week extension period also applies if the person being cared for dies.
The extension applies for a maximum of 8 weeks; if, for example, the AA beneficiary is in hospital for more than 4 weeks and then dies, the CP will still end 8 weeks after the AA was withdrawn not 8 weeks after the date of death. If, however, the patient dies before the initial 28 days are up the CP will, in that instance, be paid for 8 weeks from the date of death.

Hope this helps