Income support for lone parents

I have a client who is a lone parent to a 5 year old boy who is severely disabled and needs 24 hour care. She has been told that her income support will stop as her son is 5. Can she continue to claim income support as she substantially cares for the child. Her Brother also helps in the care and claims carers allowance for him. Mum cares for child for about 15 hours a day. her brother takes over for the other 9 hours.

I presume the child has DLA or at least a claim in progress? If so the carer should claim Carer’s Allowance with an Income Support top-up or if the DLA claim has only just been made, Income Support as a carer which should apply for 26 weeks or until the DLA claim is decided. Then it’s Carer’s Allowance with Income Support top-up.

You don’t need Carers Allowance to get Income Support its enough that you are regularly and substantially caring for someone who has middle or high care of DLA, which your son has.

You may need to argue this point with income Support due to the brother already having Carers for your child, but this rule is exactly for your situation as the child needs more than one carer.

Yes, there is still a route to Income Support by providing regular and substantial care (CPAG p349). The DWP may need to look into the quality and quantity of the care. Also be aware that some Benefits Centre staff may be unaware of this route to IS, which is obviously a barrier when you are trying to claim. Relevant previous thread:
http://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewthread/806/

Apologies - didn’t ‘read the piggin’ question’ properly as a good tutor of mine once advised. Never post when overtired, folks!