Caring for a friend, neighbour or relative can be a rewarding experience, it can also be exhausting, time consuming and may even be financially costly. However, if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week, then you could be eligible to claim £69.70 a week.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says that if the person you care for gets certain benefits, then you could be in line for the weekly payment. You don't have to live with or even be related to the person you're assisting but you will need to fit the criteria when it comes to the type of care you provide.
So, just how does the system work, how do you know if you're eligible and how do you apply? Below is what you need to know as well as how to apply.
Carer's allowance - what you need to know
If you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week, and that doesn't need to be a relative or someone you live with, you could get a weekly payment of £69.70, according to the government website. However, the person you care for must be in receipt of certain benefits certain benefits.
These benefits including:
- Personal Independence Payment - daily living component
- Disability Living Allowance - the middle or highest care rate
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Constant Attendance Allowance at the basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Child Disability Payment - the middle or highest care rate
- Adult Disability Payment - daily living component
It should also be noted that you don't get paid extra if you care for more than one person. Also, if someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance.
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The type of care provided
What you do to help that person is also taken into account. Within the 35 hours or more a week that you spend caring for someone you'll need to identify how you help. This can include:
- helping with washing and cooking
- taking the person you care for to a doctor’s appointment
- helping with household tasks, like managing bills and shopping
Who can apply
All of the following must apply:
- you’re 16 or over
- you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone
- you’ve 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)
- you normally live in England, Scotland or Wales, or you live abroad as a member of the armed forces (you might still be eligible if you’re moving to or already living in an EEA country or Switzerland)
- you’re not in full-time education
- you’re not studying for 21 hours a week or more
- you’re not subject to immigration control
- your earnings are £132 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses
What if you get state pension or pension credit?
You cannot get the full amount of both Carer’s Allowance and your State Pension at the same time. If your pension is £69.70 a week or more, you will not get a Carer’s Allowance payment. If your pension is less than £69.70 a week, you’ll get a Carer’s Allowance payment to make up the difference.
If you get Pension Credit and your State Pension is more than £69.70 a week, you will not get a Carer’s Allowance payment but your Pension Credit payments will increase instead.
How you’re paid
You can choose to be paid weekly in advance or every 4 weeks. The amount will be paid into an account, for example your bank account.
What else you could you get
Each week you get Carer’s Allowance you’ll automatically get National Insurance credits.
You may also be able to apply for:
- support from your local council
- a Council Tax Reduction
- Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or out of work
- Pension Credit if you’re over working age
- grants and bursaries to help pay for courses and training
- Income Support (if you get the severe disability premium and you’re on a low income)
- income-based Employment and Support Allowance (if you get the severe disability premium and you cannot work)
Things to be aware
Carer’s Allowance can affect the other benefits that you and the person you care for get. You have to pay tax on it if your income is over the Personal Allowance.
How to make a claim
All information relating to applying for carer's allowance is available on the carer's allowance page of the government website. You'll need certain information to hand including your National Insurance number, bank or building society details (unless you get your State Pension), employment details and latest payslip if you’re working, P45 if you’ve recently finished work, course details if you’re studying, and details of any expenses, for example pension contributions or the cost of caring for your children or the disabled person while you’re at work
You also need details of the person you care for. You need their date of birth and address, National Insurance number if they’re 16 or over, and Disability Living Allowance reference if they’re under 16.
You can backdate your claim by up to 3 months.
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