carers allowance and working

[indiasmum]

hi, i currently get carers allowance (i have 2 boys with AS) and am a SAHM. but have just been offered 2 jobs- one is a saturday and the other one is just 6 hours in the week. i am thinking that the one in the week will be no good anyway as it will run over hols and who would look after the boys? however if i could get someone to have them whilst i worked for 1 day wouyld i lose my CA? does anyone know how many hours one can work before no longer being able to claim it?

[indiasmum]

bump

[BrothelSprouts]

I can't remember, I'm afraid, but give the helpline a ring - the one in Blackpool.
The staff there are very friendly and really helpful.

[indiasmum]

thanks will do.

[tibni]

I think its £84 a week.

[indiasmum]

oh, so its not done on hours worked then but on pay? i didnt realise that. do i need to inform them if and when i do start work if i earn less than that amount?

[sidge]

I phoned them yesterday as I am thinking about going back to work for 12 hours a week.

They said that you can earn £87 per week net without affecting your CA. They also allow up to 50% of your net salary towards childcare. So for eg if you earned £100 per week after tax and NI, you could allow up to £50 per week childcare costs which would leave you £50 per week in hand and so still claim your CA (if I understand how he explained it to me!)

And he said whatever you do you need to phone them, they send you a form and you send it back with payslip and proof of childcare costs and they work out if your CA is affected.