Wed 21-Sep-05 09:06 AM by shawn

i have applied for dla for a client. the client is in receipt of carers allowance. client received letter from carers dept regarding change in circumstances ie does she still care for brother 35 hrs per week? can anyone outline how many hours/responsibilities she owes to her brother as per carers regulations. clients health has deteriorated over past 6 months which is why i recommended dla.

It's 35 hrs per week (and you can't 'bank it' by caring 70 hrs one week and none the next). 'Care' doesn't seem to have been defined in legislation. An unreported CD, CG012/91, indicates that the carer is supposed to be on hand. In this case, I think it would be reasonable to assume that the care given matches the care identified by her brother's DLA. Likewise, her ability to care for her brother can fit around her care needs. Carers Unit might query the CA if she's awarded HRC and HRM, otherwise your client may simply satisfy the CA condition by being in the presence of her brother. It's perfectly possible for two people with disabilities to give one another mutual support and care for each other.