What benefits and tax credits can carers claim?
Carer’s Allowance
Did you know….
Millions of pounds of carers’ benefits go unclaimed every year.
If you spend more than 35 hours a week caring for someone, are aged 16 or over and aren’t in full-time education or earning more than £100 a week, you might be eligible for Carer’s Allowance.
Although it’s not means-tested, you can only receive Carer’s Allowance if you aren’t already claiming a State Pension or certain other benefits. But apply anyway – your ‘underlying entitlement’ to Carer’s Allowance might mean you qualify for extra Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Universal Credit or Pension Credit.
Carer’s Allowance is £62.10 a week in (2015/16)
You might be able to claim it if you:
- spend more than 35 hours a week caring for someone
- are aged 16 or over
- aren’t in full-time education
- earn £110 a week or less
The person you’re caring for must also be getting a benefit because of their illness or disability, for example, Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment.
Carer’s Allowance can affect other benefits you might be already getting so you may be paid less in another benefit. It can also affect the benefits of the person you’re caring for.
You can only get Carer’s Allowance if you aren’t already claiming State Pension or certain income-replacing benefits such as contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance.
However, it’s still worth making a claim as you may be entitled to top up income on your other benefits, instead of Carer’s Allowance.
Your local JobCentre Plus (or Jobs and Benefits Office in Northern Ireland) will be able to tell you which benefits to apply for.
- Find out more about Carer’s Allowance on the Gov.uk website (England, Scotland and Wales)
- Find out more about Carer’s Allowance on the nidirect website (Northern Ireland)
Carer’s Credit
Carer’s Credit is a National Insurance credit towards your State Pension while you’re not making any contributions because of your caring role.
You may be able to get Carer’s Credit if:
- you are aged 16 or over
- you spend more than 20 hours a week caring for someone
- you don’t qualify for Carer’s Allowance
- you aren’t yet getting State Pension
- the person you are looking after receives certain Payments or Allowances
Carer Premium
You might be entitled to an additional Carer Premium if you already get:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Support
- Universal Credit
Ask about the Carer Premium at your local Jobcentre Plus or Jobs and Benefits Office.
Pension Credit
This is a means-tested benefit you can get if you have reached your State Pension age.
It’s made up of two parts: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.
How much you’ll get depends on your income and savings and whether you’re single or have a husband, wife or civil partner.
Help from your local authority or the Scottish or Welsh Government
Sometimes you may have an unexpected financial need. The government has provided funding for a new type of help provided by your local authority in England and the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales.
- If you live in England, contact your local council to find out more about what help they may be able to provide.
- If you live in Scotland, find out more about the Scottish Welfare Fund on the Scottish Government website.
- If you live in Wales, the Welsh Government is introducing the Selective Assistance Fund.
- If you live in Northern Ireland, learn more about their Social Fund nidirect website.
Local welfare assistance
If you have an unexpected and urgent financial need, you might be able to get local help. This is called local welfare assistance.
- If you live in England, contact your local council to find out more about what help they may be able to provide.
- If you live in Scotland, find out more about the Scottish Welfare Fund on the Scottish Government website.
- If you live in Wales, find out more about the Discretionary Assistance Fund on the Welsh Government website.
- If you live in Northern Ireland, learn more about their Social Fund on the nidirect website.
Other benefits you might be able to claim
As a carer, there are other benefits and support you might be eligible for.
Income Support
If you’re on a low income and below State Pension age, you might be able to claim this means-tested benefit. Income Support is non-taxable.
Find out more about Income Support on the Gov.uk website
Employment and Support Allowance
You might be eligible for Employment and Support Allowance if you have your own health problems as well as caring responsibilities. It’s a taxable benefit, which is either means-tested or based on your National Insurance contributions.
Find out more about Employment and Support Allowance on the Gov.uk website
Jobseeker’s Allowance
If you’re caring for someone while looking for work you might be able to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance. It’s taxable and is either means-tested or based on your National Insurance contributions.
Find out more about Jobseeker’s Allowance on the Gov.uk website
Tax credits
If you’re on a low income, you might be entitled to Working Tax Credit to top up your income. It’s means-tested and non-taxable.
Find out more about tax credits on the Gov.uk website
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a new financial support for people in or out of work, which replaces Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Housing Benefit and tax credits. It’s being brought in between April 2013 and October 2017.
Find out more in our guide Universal Credit – an introduction
Other help if you’re on a low income
You might also be entitled to financial help with your Council Tax, fuel and health costs, adapting your home or carrying out repairs.
Use a benefit calculator on the Gov.uk website to find out what you may be entitled to
Other schemes and entitlements
Motability scheme
If you’re caring for someone with limited mobility, they might be eligible for support from the Motability scheme, which can help provide a car, powered scooter or wheelchair.
Find out more about the scheme on the Motability website
Blue badge parking
Blue badge parking permits allow drivers who have passengers with mobility issues to park in more convenient locations, such as disabled parking bays. You can also park on single or double lines for up to three hours.
Find out how to apply for a blue badge on the Gov.uk website
Disabled Persons Railcard
The Disabled Persons Railcard entitles the cardholder and a carer or companion one third off most adult rail fares on the National Rail network. Costing £20 a year or £54 for a three-year card, you can buy one at any staffed ticket office or by post using the application form available online.
Find out more on the Disabled Persons Railcard website
Cinema Exhibitors’ Association Card
This card entitles you to one free ticket when you take the person you’re caring for to the cinema. You can apply for the card online, and all national cinema chains accept it.
Find out more on the Cinema Exhibitors’ Association Card website
Other discounts
There are lots more free or discounted entry offers available to carers at museums, leisure centres and National Trust sites across the country, although they aren’t always advertised. Just ask when you’re buying tickets.
Several local authorities also offer carers’ shopping, leisure and automotive discounts, so it’s worth checking with your local authority to see what extra support is available.
This article is provided by the Money Advice Service.
