Advice on finance for carers

If you’re caring for your parent, there is financial help out there for you. We uncover the benefits and allowances that you can claim. Money Advice Service research shows that almost a third of carers struggle to cover basic living costs, with more than one in five in debt and struggling to cope financially

Carer’s Allowance

Carer’s Allowance, which pays £59.75 a week, is the main benefit that you might be able to claim. It is available if you are aged 16 or over, and spend at least 35 hours a week looking after someone with substantial caring needs, who must receive a qualifying disability benefit

You cannot claim the allowance if you earn more than £100 a week (after tax), are in fulltime education or if your State Pension or certain other benefits give you more than £58.45 a week

However, it’s still worth applying for Carer’s Allowance as you could be entitled to extra money that would be paid out with other benefits, such as Jobseeker’s Allowance

It can take four to six weeks for your allowance to be processed, and it can be backdated for up to three months if you began caring before you applied

Other benefits and help

If you can’t claim Carer’s Allowance you may still be able to receive some financial help

Carer’s Credit is a key option if you are looking after one or more people for at least 20 hours a week

Carer’s Credit is a National Insurance credit that is provided to carers to ensure that there are no gaps in NI contributions and to make sure they are building up their entitlement to the State Pension

If you are receiving Carer’s Allowance you don’t need to apply for Carer’s Credit as this is automatically put in place

If you are disqualified from receiving Carer’s Allowance because you are being paid certain other benefits, you could claim the Carer’s Premium. This is worth £33.30 a week, and is included in the calculation for Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and other employment-related benefits, as well as Council Tax Reduction and Housing Benefit

Carer’s Addition is an equivalent benefit (you can claim one of these, not both), which is paid with Pension Credit

If you live with the person you’re caring for, you may qualify for a Council Tax reduction. Contact your local council to see whether you qualify for any help

You can also take advantage of local and national schemes. If you and your parent would like to get out more often, you could ask them to invest in a Disabled Persons Railcard. This costs £20 a year and entitles them and any adult they travel with to a third off most rail tickets across Britain

Carer’s wellbeing

Caring for someone can take its toll on your physical and mental health, social life, career and relationships. You may feel guilty about making an unkind comment to your parent in the heat of the moment. Likewise, you could feel awful about having some personal time away from your parent. These feelings are perfectly natural and are shared by most carers, but there are some things you can do to make yourself feel better

Local councils recognise that being a carer is physically and emotionally draining . For this reason, they offer a Personal Budget for carers, which is a one-off payment to help carers look after their own health and wellbeing. It is intended to benefit you as a carer, but this could comprise driving lessons, funding for a hobby or a holiday, or paying for equipment to help with caring (such as a mobile phone or a dishwasher)

You will need to take a carer’s assessment to see if you’re eligible to receive a Personal Budget. The amount you receive will depend on your council’s budget and what needs they identify

There are a number of charities and support groups you can speak to, including Carers UK, which can offer advice and put you in touch with local carer support groups, so that you can speak with other people in a similar situation.

Finally, take advantage of general money advice, such as the Money Advice Service’s Health Check

All information accurate at time of publication

 

This article is provided by the Money Advice Service. All information accurate as at 5 September 2013.

 

Money Advice Service

Leave a Response

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Other Life - Caring - Carers Articles

Caring for older relatives with dementia

02 Jul 17

It can be very upsetting having to witness the decline in the mental abilities of a…

Family conflict during parental illness

09 Apr 17

Family conflict is not unusual Family conflict is common within the family when a parent is…

People with ageing parents must talk

18 Dec 16

It’s important for people caring for elderly to talk How it started Ruth* was approaching 50,…

Caring for elderly harder than it used to be

14 Dec 16

Most of us were brought up with the fairytale notion of the perfectly happy family As…

What does being a carer entail for you?

20 May 16

Are you a carer of a loved one, who is older, disabled or seriously ill?  Whether…

Shop Online - view all

Fifty Plus

Fifty Plus for fashion that’s fit to flatter for all sizes.

Find out more

Royal Horticultural Society

Royal Horticultural Society: Get help with finding the perfect plants for your garden.

Find out more

Gardening Direct

Buy first class bedding plants and much more besides online from Gardening Direct. We deliver direct…

Find out more