mommabear
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Single Adopter
Posts: 32 
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Post by mommabear on Nov 8, 2013 20:10:01 GMT
Hi,
I have an adopted son with severe learning difficulties and complex medical needs. He will be totally dependant on me his entire life and, to reflect this, I was given a very generous adoption allowance. I also get carers allowance, child tax credits and his DLA (which goes into his own account). I adopted him 3 years ago and did check and was told that I don't have to declare the adoption allowance although I ensured they were aware of it at the time. I was told it won't be taken into account at all for these benifits. I do worry about it though. Due to my caring responsibility I have no social life and haven't been on holiday in the time I've had him (which I don't mind one bit as he is my world) therefore this money is building up in my savings . Is this ok? I worry that I'm doing something wrong and someone is going to come knocking on my door for fraud or something!!
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Post by sooz on Nov 8, 2013 20:28:31 GMT
Hi there
Currently in similar situation.
I think (think but not 100%) that savings over a certain amount can affect benefit payments. Thinking 6k, or at least it was that when I was on income support.
Interestingly I just lost half my AA as I need to be on income support to qualify for the full amount. Caters allowance doesn't qualify for full amount?!?! Odd.
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Post by sooz on Nov 8, 2013 20:29:11 GMT
Err carers not caters lol
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mommabear
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Single Adopter
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Post by mommabear on Nov 8, 2013 20:40:30 GMT
Thanks Sooz,
I heard the same regarding savings so did check that (using google) and it said both CA and CTC isn't affected by savings at all so think I'm ok there.
I haven't claimed any other benifits as am anxious enough about what I already get!!
I didn't want the allowance to start with but my family convinced me to accept it. Doesn't feel right being paid to be a mum. X
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Post by happyone on Nov 8, 2013 20:46:46 GMT
Moms bear please being paid as a mum  ? Please I bet it is not a cent of what a substandard residential care home would cost xx |
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mommabear
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Post by mommabear on Nov 8, 2013 21:04:39 GMT
No, your right, and that is where he would have ended up.
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mommabear
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Post by mommabear on Nov 8, 2013 21:06:44 GMT
Ahh, just noticed my little picture on the left, very cute. No idea how it got there though, lol x
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Post by phoebe on Nov 8, 2013 21:24:58 GMT
mommabear, I think there is only an issue if you need to claim a means tested benefit such as income support. Then you would be affected by savings. The DLA and CTC are not means tested so you will be fine as far as I can see. The EntitledTo benefits calculator (Turn-2-Us) is a good way to check.x
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Post by serrakunda on Nov 8, 2013 22:42:50 GMT
Can you not put some of the money is a special trust fund for him for the future? You didnt mention if his medical issues are life limiting, he may need to have some financial provision if there comes a time when you arent able to care for him fully yourself. Also I know you say you dont mind not having a social life or a holiday, you do need to look after yourself or in the long term you will burn yourself out. If funds building up why dont you consider paying for some respite so you can get some me time.
The other thing that occurs to me is pension. I worry about this, I have some provision but not enough but no capacity to save at the moment. If I had regular spare funds thats what I would be doing with it
I get AA and dont feel guilty at all, our children have been let down both by BPs and often by state systems which failed to protect them or act quickly enough. Prior to Simba's arrival I worked for a long time and paid taxes and drew very little on state services like education or NHS. The benefits I get are what enables me to give Simba the time and attention he needs.
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mommabear
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Post by mommabear on Nov 9, 2013 0:06:45 GMT
Thanks for you response. Yes he is life limited and not expected to reach adulthood  although he is going strong for now so who knows  I don't have a trust fund as such for him, just his DLA account which has a fair bit at the moment (until we get our next WAV soon). I do worry about pensions a lot. I get CA so believe my state pension will be ok and some from my previous working life but that won't amount to much. I'm trying to pay off chunks of mortgage when I can, so at least I might own my house one day. I've recently been approved to adopt again and am determined my second child won't miss out due to first AS's disabilities. Holidays will hopefully be on the cards then. I get respite from the local hospice who are fab. Thanks again for your reassurance. Feel better about it now :-) |
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Post by sooz on Nov 9, 2013 8:48:04 GMT
Hi mommabear
I do know what you mean, I'm not exactly 'comfortable' receiving benefits myself. I have to tell myself that when ex and I adopted it wasn't the plan and although I gave up work my ex was paying our way and an awful lot in taxes!
However, this is the situation, and I would say please don't feel uncomfortable getting AA, it's there to make your lives easier, both of you.
My ds now has one to one swimming, horse riding, and after searching for ages, a personal trainer (thanks to serrakunda for the idea, it's fab). AA won't quite cover it all now but we will find a way. Xx
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Post by esty (archive) on Nov 11, 2013 18:49:15 GMT
All my son's money goes in to the pot and I don't keep any back for him. I survive off his adoption allowance and child tax credits. I feel no guilt at all. Any child in foster care costs approx 54 grand per annum and that's a child without special needs. I was earning over 35 grand when I took on my son and really feel that I deserve to have some sort of life ie the horse to compensate. I gave up a lot willingly and am happy to see his money as a way of making life good. Youngest son gets a small AA as I said I wouldn't use any of eldest son's money for youngest. I pay a stakeholders pension but am still going to be living in poverty in retirement. It has been verbally suggested that eldest AS' AA goes on til he's 25 but I'm just about to challenge that and say they need to pay it for life or until he goes in to residential care which isn't likely due to his needs.
Don't worry about new AC being held back by AS with disabilities. My youngest AS certainly isn't. In fact his life is enriched by his elder brother and all the activities we do through him. It has worked out really well.
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mommabear
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Post by mommabear on Nov 11, 2013 19:08:04 GMT
Thanks Esty,
That's good to know that you don't feel your second AS is held back at all. I agree, disability can enrich their lives in so many ways. I had a little foster child for just over a year and he loved his trips to the hospice, free funfairs, party's, days out etc that were aimed at families of disabled children.
You are all so right, I know. I gave up my career for my son, with it my pension and security for the future. I have no regrets and would do it all again in the blink if an eye but life would envolve a lot more stress without the AA. I was just worried that maybe I was missing something in terms of declaring it or receiving benifits but you guys have helped loads. Thanks
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dusty
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Post by dusty on Nov 11, 2013 20:58:41 GMT
Hello just be really careful if you are saving money in your AS name, as it may affect the care and support he gets later on. The whole thing is a mine field, but I do know of families who are worse off financially due to trying to save.
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Post by esty (archive) on Nov 12, 2013 11:24:40 GMT
Eldest son has also benefitted greatly by having youngest son. He now goes and watched free running and joins in with their warm ups. He's taken part in gymnastics and athletics and both spent this summer traveling around Scandinavia in a self converted Transit. And that's with lots of medical equipment and tube feeding. It's all possible if you want to do it.
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? Please I bet it is not a cent of what a substandard residential care home would cost xx 
although he is going strong for now so who knows 
