Make a new claim for Carer's Allowance by next week to…

Make a new claim for Carer's Allowance by next week to qualify for an extra payment of £245

An estimated 90,000 people in Scotland received the first of two annual additional payments this summer as part of their Carer’s Allowance benefit from the Scottish Government. Carer’s Allowance Supplement is a devolved payment, only given to those living in Scotland on certain dates throughout the year who are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, a benefit delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The payments of £245.70 are made automatically by Social Security Scotland to people who are in receipt of the benefit on two specific qualifying dates throughout the year. To be eligible for the June payment, people needed to have been claiming the benefit by April 11, and for the next payment, due in December, claims must be received next week - Monday October 10, 2022.

For anyone considering making a new claim for Carer’s Allowance, the DWP recently confirmed it currently takes 37 working days to process an application from initial submission to decision letter. This means if your claim is received before next Monday, you should qualify for the next Carer’s Allowance Supplement payment, but it may be backdated and included in the April payment instead.

Check below to make sure you’re not missing out on additional support if you provide care for a friend or family member for at least 35 hours each week.

DWP must receive your claim on or before October 10 in order for Social Security Scotland to automatically apply the Carer's Allowance Supplement payment in December - you don't need to apply for it.

Am I eligible for Carer’s Allowance?

You may be eligible for weekly Carer’s Allowance payments of £69.70 if you, the person you care for and the type of care you provide meets certain criteria. The money is paid every four weeks, so you could be eligible for £278.80 each pay period.

You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.

The person you care for must already get one of these benefits:

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - daily living component
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - 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

If someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance.

The type of care you provide

You need to spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone.

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

Eligibility

Guidance on GOV.UK states that all of the following must apply:

You are 16 or over
You spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone
You have been in Scotland for at least two of the last three years (this does not apply if you’re a refugee or have humanitarian protection status)
You are not in full-time education
You are not studying for 21 hours a week or more
You are not subject to immigration control
Your earnings are £128 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses

How do I make a claim for Carer's Allowance?

You can claim online at the GOV.UK website here or phone the Carer’s Allowance Unit for a claim form on 0800 731 0297.

Before you apply make sure you have your:

National Insurance number (if you have a partner you’ll need theirs too)
Bank or building society details
Employment details and latest payslip if you’re working
P45 if you’ve recently finished work
Course details if you’re studying
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

GOV.UK guidance states that you also need details of the person you care for.

You need their:

Date of birth and address
National Insurance number if they are 16 or over
Disability Living Allowance reference if they are under 16

More help and advice about Carer's Allowance

You can get more help and advice from:

Find out more about claiming Carer’s Allowance on the Gov.uk website here.

To keep up to date with the outcome of this petition, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out three times each week - sign up here.