Just a brief update on what has been reported , and confirmed , from sources allied to this emotive subject.
Carers ... so far , falling through the safety net appears to be common whenever the carer , or the caree , is hospitalisation , and the suspension of various benefits once 28 days has passed.
As we all know , household expenditure such as the mortgage / rent and some utility costs are fixed ... they do not change whether one is in occupation or not. Other utility bills are flexible , they vary with the amount of usuage although many will have a fixed cost standing charge.
Nothing anyone already knows so far.
The fun starts when the existing household expenditure almost equals household income. When the household income falls , as with the situation outlined previously , and that income is almost 100% from benefits received .... draw your conclusion. Now extend the hospitalisation period into months rather than days ... ?
My own knowledge is rather rusty in the situation where it is the carer who is hospitalisation. If no substitute is available , a lone carer just like myself in a previous life , the local LA / SS would step in. In that event , would they charge after means testing ? What if the caree needed 24 / 7 care ?
Potential £ 15 per hour x numbers of hours x number of days ? Cannot be so ..... can it ?
In that event , is it not like a tax on being ill ? Maybe not but ....
Food for thought ?
