The Department for Work and Pensions provides eligible carers with a potential bonus
(Picture: John Stillwell/PA)The cost of living crisis has hit some UK citizens more heavily than others, with many struggling to meet energy, fuel and food costs.
As the winter months approach, vulnerable people, including disabled and elderly people and low-income earners, will be looking for increased support to meet their bills.
An extra avenue of income may be available from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), as carers who meet certain criteria will be eligible for an extra £3,000 per year.
There will also be an automatic Christmas bonus for those to whom it applies.
Who is eligible for extra DWP support?
Carers must be 16 years or above and spend more than 35 hours a week caring for their dependent to be eligible for the extra £69.70 a week, or £270 a month.
To claim this Carer’s Allowance, carers must also live in England, Wales or Scotland and have less than £132 in earnings per week, after tax.
However, as the payment is not means-based or based on National Insurance contributions, claimants must already be receiving one of the following benefits:
- Personal Independence Payment
- Disability Living Allowance
- Attendance Allowance
- Disablement Benefit Armed Forces Independent Payment
- Child/Adult Disability Payment
In a household with multiple carers for the same person, only one may be eligible to claim the amount. The payment may also only be claimed once.
Who is eligible for the DWP Christmas bonus?
The Christmas bonus is expected in December and will be automatically paid to claimants who are receiving the Carer’s Allowance.
A one-off payment of £10 will land in the recipients’ bank accounts before Christmas, although the date is yet unconfirmed. It will not affect any other benefits and will not need to be repaid.
To receive the Christmas bonus you will have to live in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, Switzerland or any other European Economic Area.
You must also be receiving certain benefits alongside Universal Credit.
See the full list below:
- Armed Forces Independent Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Child Disability Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate
- Industrial Death Benefit (for widows or widowers)
- Mobility Supplement
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment
- State Pension
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Unemployability Supplement or Allowance
- War Disablement Pension at State Pension age
- War Widow’s Pension
- Widowed Mother’s Allowance
- Widowed Parent’s Allowance
- Widow’s Pension
