Hi, my wife receives Carers Allowance for our DD. She has the opportunity to invest in a private company, specifically buying bonds, from personal savings. The return on these bonds means an interest payment to her of £1500 a year. I can’t seem to find any definitive answer regarding investment interest income and how it counts towards her £128 per week earnings limit.
My question is, would it be considered a one-off payment of £1500 for that week and lose that week’s CA payment, and a return to CA the following week?
Or would the income be averaged over the year (£28.85 per week), effectively leaving about £100 ‘spare’ a week?
My second question is, in the longer term, my wife intends on replacing CA with a self-employed income whilst continuing her caring duties. As self employment income will fluctuate above and below the CA earnings limit in the early stages of the business, are earnings averaged over a time period and not week-to-week. i.e. what is that time period?
The reason I ask is that my wife is trying create an independent income around the caring responsibilities (during school hours) then eventually transition to self-employment, but we don’t want to make any mistakes or struggle financially though the transitional period.
This is really a question for our Carers UK helpline.
I have an idea that it’s only EARNED income that is counted, but the answer is really important to get it 100% correct, so our paid advisors are the people to give a definitive answer.
It sound more like a question an accountant would answer.
Dear Matt_2204
Hi. I am Kristie i am a volunteer online community host. I am sorry to hear your predicament i hope you get the answers you need to know on Carers UK. As mentioned Carers UK do have a telephone number and email address that might be able to help you.
So welcome to the Forum! You are not alone in your caring role and i am sure that many on here will understand exactly how you feel and will offer you the support that you need. Caring can be very lonely and the pandemic has made caring responsibilities challenging as many carers have been socially restricted and unable to attend social groups etc.
Carers UK are running two weekly online meetups for carers and you can find the information on how to register at Care For A Cuppa:-Online meetups | Carers UK. Then the second meet up is called Share And Learn:-Share and Learn | Carers UK.
Our telephone number as mentioned is 0808 808 7777. The line is open from Monday to Friday between the hours of 9am-6pm. Our email address is (advice@carersuk.org).
They provide information and guidance to unpaid carers. This covers:-
-Benefits And Financial Support
-Your Rights As A Carer In The Workplace
-Carers Assessments And How To Get Support In Your Caring Role
-Services Available To Carers And The People You Care For
-How To Complain Effectively And Challenge Decisions.
Best Wishes
Kristie.
I’ve just looked at the CUK main site on the subject of income and eligibility. Only income from work counts. I suggest you read the information for yourself.
Hi all, Thanks for all the info everyone. It does seem to be the case that income from investments doesn’t affect the CA earnings limit. As for self employment we have emailed the DWP for further clarification.