Carer’s Allowance is a benefit worth £69.70 each week to people who care for someone, in receipt of certain qualifying benefits - for at least 35 hours per week. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for to get the payment, however, if someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim.
There are several eligibility criteria new claimants must meet, which are listed below, but one of the key points is that your earnings must be £132 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says that the weekly earnings limit is designed to allow carers to combine their caring responsibilities with some paid employment where they can.
Earlier this week, Minister for Disabled People, Chloe Smith MP, explained: “It is set at a level that aims to encourage those who give up full time work in order to undertake caring responsibilities, to maintain a link with the labour market through part time work.”
