With soaring energy and food bills likely to make this one of the most difficult winters in years, many people will need to look at ways to maximise their income.
As the population ages and more people are committed to caring for elderly relatives, those who have taken on such a responsibility should check to see whether they are entitled to an extra payment as well as a Christmas bonus, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) can award carers an additional £69.70 a week - equal to £278 a month, or over £3,000 a year. In order to qualify for Carer's Allowance, the claimant must be at least 16 years of age, spend a minimum of 35 hours a week caring for someone and live in England, Scotland, or Wales. They must have earnings of £132 a week or less after tax, National Insurance and expenses, although Carer's Allowance is not dependent on National Insurance contributions and is therefore not means-tested, which means it is not based on a claimant's income or savings.
