Earlier this year, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was asked to “make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a benefit” for people over the age of retirement who are caring for relatives and do not qualify for Carer's Allowance. A retiree cannot be awarded full State Pension and Carer’s Allowance at the same time as they are overlapping benefits, however, DWP said an older claimant could still be eligible for Housing Benefit.
This week, Conservative MP Andrew Selous asked DWP “how many people lost their Carer’s Allowance because they had reached pensionable age” over the last 20 years. However, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP, said that the DWP “does not hold data on the reason Carer’s Allowance claimants lose their Carer’s Allowance award”.
He added: “There is no upper age limit to claiming Carer’s Allowance, however, it cannot normally be paid with the State Pension.”
