Debts through Caring

[Iain Hambling]

Does anyone else recognise my predicament ?

My father died of terminal cancer at his local authority one bed bungalow in a rural village in Buckinghamshire in 2010. He left my step-mum of 20 years who has mobility issues and in receipt of AA and DLA. I became her carer in late 2010 after she had a spinal operation that did not help.

I cannot afford to move to rural Buckinghamshire but have a rented one bedroomed flat in London. I have had to give up work as she needs care at erratic times and I am at her beck and call, there are days she sleeps in until midday due to her medications.

I receive £55.55 carers allowance and £35.00 income support weekly on top of my housing benefit and council tax benefit. My housing benefit has just dropped by £15 a week.

As I have to travel almost daily my tube fare is £2.90 each way, if there is a train conductor on board the Chiltern train then I am charged a further £12.20 return. Therefore, some days it can cost me £18.00 a day to travel to provide care, on occasions I can stay overnight on the settee.

Whilst I don't mind the travelling, or the caring, the rising costs of travelling and the Governments deal of reducing my housing benefit periodically means I am getting further and further into debt. I took out a credit card two years ago and have already used the £2,500 credit on travel with no hope of paying the card off, so I have had to take another credit card out.

Is it just me in a loophole of spiraling debts created by my caring duties or is this common and how does one get out of it ? Thanks.

[poppett]

It used to be possible to get a community care grant to assist with travel costs to visit someone who is ill or in hospital. I have guided a few folks through this maze over the years, but not sure if it is still available. Worth an ask though. Your claim needs to be predictive for a block of time as they will not consider a claim for the same thing within 13 weeks.

If you have a local carers centre they may be able to help you access further travelling expenses.

I know it is difficult, but please do not let the credit card excalate out of control.

Would it be possible for your mum to reimburse you with your travel costs from her income, after all you are doing this to benefit her.

Take care
Meg

[Myrtle]

welcome Iain.
You don't mention your step mum's finances, but maybe she could contribute with the care componenent of her DLA.
Also you could ask for a carers assessment and a benefits check.