"When D.L.A. Claimant on Carer's Allowance"

Can anyone advise,please,to what extent,if any,a claim for D.L.A.[middle care + lower mobility] may be prejudiced or compromised where the Claimant is already receiving Carer's Allowance in respect of his wife? The wife's D.L.A. award is based on longstanding physical and mental disability [higher rate mobility and middle rate care component]. If the Claimant is called in for a medical, what questions are Atos likely to raise in respect of such a situation? Are there any case-law precedents or decision makers guidance notes relevant to this topic? Any advice would be much appreciated.

It is entirely possible for one person on DLA to be a carer for another person on DLA provided that the needs are complementary. This would most commonly be the situation where one person has mental needs and the other person has physical needs.

I think that it would be a good idea to set the position out ver clearly in the application for DLA to avoid any misunderstanding in the Atos assessment.

Dear Survivor,
Thank you very much indeed for your helpful and re-assuring message. The situation is exactly as you envisage,but with one possible reservation, i.e. although the needs can be said to be complementary,if anything the Claimant's day to day needs and problems are grossly exacerbated by virtue of the wife's behavioural problems and violent mood swings. The Claimant already attends meetings of a local mental health carers'support group. Is this relevant and should that be mentioned on the Claim Form?