Financial support available for carers

 

The following information on benefits is a summary from the gov.uk website. The hyperlinks about specific benefits on the gov.uk website will tell you:

• what the benefit is
• eligibility criteria
• effects on other benefits, where applicable
• how to make a claim

 

Carer’s Allowance

Carer’s Allowance is an amount of money you may be able to claim if you:

• care for someone at least 35 hours a week
• are aged 16 or over
• aren’t in full time education or studying for 21 hours a week or more
• don’t earn more than £132 a week after tax (plus some expenses)
• have been in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years (this does not apply if you’re a refugee or have humanitarian protection status)

The person you are caring for must be in receipt of an eligible benefit including, but not limited to:

• Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA) (middle or higher rate care component)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) (daily living component)

If the person you’re caring for does not get one of these benefits, you may still be able to get Carer’s Credit. When you apply, fill in the ‘Care Certificate’ part of the application form and get a health or social care professional to sign it.

Carer’s Allowance can affect other benefits that you, or the person you’re caring for, are already receiving.

 

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.

You may be able to claim if you:

• don’t qualify for Carer’s Allowance
• are aged 16 or over
• aren’t in receipt of State Pension
• spend at least 20 hours a week caring for someone

The person you are caring for must be in receipt of an eligible benefit including, but not limited to:

• Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA) (middle or higher rate care component)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) (daily living component)

 

Pension Credit

Pension Credit is an income-related benefit you may be entitled to if you have reached State Pension age.

The amount of money you may receive depends on various factors including:

• Income
• Savings
• Marital status/living situation

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:

• Universal Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Council Tax reductions
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

 

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:

• Winter Fuel Payment
• Cold Weather Payment
• Warm Home Discount Scheme
• extra help from energy suppliers
• Council Tax reductions
• help with mortgage payments

 

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. It costs £20 a year or you can buy a reduced rate three-year card for £54.

 

Motability Scheme

The Motability Scheme is for people with limited mobility to access a car, a scooter, or a wheelchair using their benefit payments.

 

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.

 

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 Carer's Assessment page.