Carers Week 5-11 June: are you missing out on £3k carer’s allowance?

Do you look after an elderly, sick or disabled relative? If so, did you know that you might be able claim carer’s allowance?

We’re marking this year’s Carers Week by calling on carers to check they’re getting the financial support they’re entitled to.

With the NHS creaking under pressure and a lack of affordable care facilities, more people than ever are finding themselves caring for elderly, sick or disabled relatives.

If you’ve taken on this vital role, you could be entitled to an extra £69.70 a week – equal to £278 a month, or over £3,000 a year.

Do you qualify for carer’s allowance?

To qualify for carer’s allowance, you:

• must be at least 16 years of age
• must spend a minimum of 35 hours a week caring for someone
• can’t be earning more than £132 a week after tax, national insurance, and expenses

Carer’s allowance isn’t dependent on national insurance contributions, so isn’t means-tested.

In other words, it doesn’t matter how much you have in the bank or if you’ve got savings and investments. But it is taxable and can affect other benefits you may be claiming or planning to claim.

The person you care for must also claim at least one of the following benefits for you to qualify:

• personal independence payment (PIP)
• disability living allowance
• attendance allowance
• disablement benefit
• armed forces independence payment
• child/adult disability payment

If you share caring duties with someone else, only one of you can claim the allowance. You can also only claim it once, even if you’re caring for more than one person.

How do you apply for carer’s allowance?

You can make a claim online or phone the carer’s allowance unit on 0800 731 0297 for a claim form.

Caring and debt

Having to leave work to care for someone is often unplanned and losing an income can have a catastrophic effect on a family’s finances.

An unexpected change in circumstances, such as having to care for a relative or family member, is one of the most common reasons people get in touch with us for debt help.

If you’re struggling to make ends meet or debts are mounting up, we can help.

We can:

• check you’re claiming all the benefits you’re entitled to
• go through your budget to see where you can make savings
• see if a formal debt solution could help you get back on track with your money