Carers UK Forum

Hi Jacqueline,

I'm so sorry to hear about your Mum. I haven't been on the forum for a while so I've only just found out.

I don't want to contradict Susie but these days, depending on who you bank with, a credit card might be much cheaper than an overdraft. Might be worth checking out how much each is going to cost before deciding. For example Lloyds charges around 50% apr whereas we have credit cards with aprs under 20% and that's without even looking at interest free balance transfer options. Equally you could just accept that a little bit of interest is a small price to pay for just taking the easiest option. Do you know what the hold up with the probate is? Is it perhaps time to rattle the executors cages a bit?

Sorry. Not been on for ages. Still anxious/fearful. Still unable to leave the house. Gp has referred me for italk councelling. A phone call once every two weeks.

Money is getting low. Got a friend who may be able to lend me some.

Are there any benefits that I can claim in the meantime? I am unable to work or even look for work so I suppose it is unlikely. Tbh I am so afraid most of the time that it is all I can do to get up and walk the dogs (luckily we have fields out the back which I go round in a state of terror before hurrying home. What a way to live).

I have a lodger so some of the bills will be covered but food is another matter. Bit grim all this.

Sorry to hear of your loss. You may be eligible for Employment Support Allowance? there are 2 categories those that can work but can't at the moment and those that can never work, my severely disabled son is in the second category, he is unable to work due to his mental and physical disabilities, he gets his payments every 2 weeks.

Thanks Karen. I will google it and see if I am eligable.

If nothing else , the automatic contributions for National Insurance would have ceased from the day on which Carers
Allowance ceased ... assuming no paid work since.

https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance

" Signing on " at your local Job Centre would be advisable purely from this angle.

I have tried an online thing to see if I can get esa. Had to do a verification thing but it didnt complete. No idea why. Will try again tomorrow.

I am not too optomistic given that I am currently unable to leave the house due to extreme anxiety.

Will see if my gp can help.