As a carer you may be eligible for certain benefits and entitlements specifically around your caring role. Depending on your situation you may also be eligible for other universal benefits from the government.
Financial support
You can use the Turn2us benefits calculators to find out what benefits you may be entitled to and access information on how to make a claim.
Benefits calculators are available to a range of personal circumstances including if you are disabled ill or injured, if you are a carer who is working age and if you are a carer who is pension age.
The following information on benefits has been obtained from the Government website and includes information on each benefit covering:
- what the benefit is
- eligibility criteria
- effects on other benefits, where applicable
- how to make a claim
Carers Allowance
If you spend a lot of time looking after someone with an illness or disability, you may be eligible to extra money in the form of a benefit called Carer’s Allowance.
Supporting information on Carers Allowance and how to make a claim is also located on the Carers UK webpage.
Carer’s Credit
Carer’s Credit is a National Insurance credit that helps with gaps in your National Insurance record. Your State Pension is based on your National Insurance record and Carer’s Credit helps while you are not making any contributions due to your caring role.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit is an income-related benefit you may be entitled to if you have reached State Pension age.
Carers may be able to receive additional amounts of money if they are also in receipt of Carer’s Allowance.
Carer Premium
Carer Premium is an additional amount of money you may be entitled to if you are also in receipt of:
A carer’s personal budget is an amount of money that may be allocated to you following a carer’s assessment. The money can be used to buy services and equipment which will help you in your caring role.
More information on carer personal budgets is available on the Carers assessment page.
As a carer there are other benefits that you may be eligible for. Being in receipt of Carer’s Allowance (or other benefits) may impact how much you get for other benefits.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a benefit you may be entitled to. It is a new benefit replacing all of the following benefits:
- Child Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Working Tax Credit
Other benefits
You may also be entitled to financial help with:
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Benefits for those who are terminally ill
- Disabled Facilities Grants
- Winter Fuel Payment
- Cold Weather Payment
- Warm Home Discount Scheme
- Extra help from energy suppliers
- Council Tax reductions
- Help with mortgage payments
Discounts for Carers is free to join for carers and care workers offering a wealth of discounts, available across travel and holiday deals, fashion brands, homeware and electrical, utilities and gym memberships.
Carers First also offer a range of information on discount opportunities for carers.
Blue Badge scheme
The Blue Badge scheme allows drivers to park closer to destinations if they are disabled. Other people can use the blue badge if the disabled person is a passenger or they are being dropped off or picked up.
Disabled Persons Railcard
The Disabled Persons Railcard entitles the cardholder and, if accompanied, any adult companion one third off most adult rail fares.
Motability Scheme
The Motability Scheme is for people with limited mobility to access a car, a scooter, or a wheelchair using their benefit payments.
Free or Discounted TV licence
TV Licence reductions are available for those who are eligible.
Council Tax Reductions
Check if you are eligible for a council tax reduction.
Cinema CEA Card
The CEA Card entitles carers to a free ticket when they take the person they’re caring for to the cinema.
English Heritage and National Trust
English Heritage and National Trust provide free admission for carers who are accompanying the person they care for.
Other places of interest
Lots of different places offer discounts for carers or people with disabilities. They aren’t always advertised so it’s worth asking wherever you visit, from adventure parks to zoos, and everywhere in between.
Further information and advice is also available on:
Help with bills and household costs
Within your caring role you may need to support the person you are caring for to manage their affairs. This may include making decisions on someone else's behalf regarding their health and finances. It is a good idea to seek advice and look at the options available.
Lasting Power of Attorney
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you (the ‘donor’) appoint one or more people (known as ‘attorneys’) to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf.
Information on when and how you can make decisions for someone and checking mental capacity will help you to understand if LPA is required.
Lincolnshire County Council do not financially assess for carers support, unlike support to the cared for person from Adult Social Care, where financial assessments are required to determine if there is a contribution from the cared for person.
Age UK share support and advice to help work out whether an individual may be entitled to help with care costs, depending on care options, such as residential care or care in the home and offer advice on what to do if you have to pay for the full cost of care.
