Can I claim Carers Allowance?
Carers Allowance is the only benefit aimed specifically at carers and it is intended to replace the wages you might otherwise earn from a job if you were not caring. It is a weekly taxable benefit but does not depend on your record of paying national insurance contributions. You can get Carers Allowance if you are of working age and:
- the person you care for gets the Higher or Middle rate Care Component of Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance
- you care for the person at least 35 hours a week (although you don't have to be living in the same house with the person you care for)
- you are aged 16 or over; you live in the UK and you are not in full-time education
- you do not earn more than £95 per week from paid work
Carers Allowance overlaps with some benefits, for example retirement pension, and you can't be paid both benefits - you'll be paid the highest. If you can't be paid Carers Allowance due to the overlapping benefits rule, you will have an underlying entitlement to it which can help with other benefits.
If you are unsure if you qualify for Carers Allowance, you can contact the Carers Allowance Unit at the Department of Work and Pensions:
- Tel: 01253 856 123
- Textphone: 01772 899 489
- Email: cau.customer-services@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
Disability Living Allowance
Disability Living Allowance is for people under the age of 65. It is tax free, non means tested and non contributory and has two components - care and mobility. You may qualify for care component if you need help with personal care, or supervision to remain safe, or you are unable to prepare a cooked main meal because of illness or disability.
You may qualify for mobility if you have physical problems walking or need guidance or supervision because of illness or disability. You have to show that you've needed help for at least 3 months and are likely to need help for the next 6 months.
Personal care needs include such things as bathing, dressing, cooking a meal, eating, moving around, taking medication, etc - it doesn't usually include such things as shopping, cleaning, and gardening.
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance is for people aged 65 and over. It is tax free, non means tested and non contributory. You may qualify if you need help with personal care or supervision to remain safe because of illness or disability.
You have to show that you've needed help for at least 6 months to qualify. There are two rates of benefit:
- Lower Rate - if you need help with personal care throughout the day or night; or you need to be watched over to avoid danger day or night.
- Higher Rate - if you need help with personal care or need to be watched over to avoid danger day and night; or you are terminally ill.
Personal care needs include such things as bathing, dressing, eating, moving around, and taking medication. It doesn't usually include such things as shopping, cleaning and gardening.
Benefits advice
Citizens Advice Bureaux in Barnet (external link) can offer Benefits advice, as well as local organisations such as Disability Action in the Borough of Barnet (external link).
The Benefit Enquiry Line, run by the Benefits Agency provide help and advice on all social security benefits. They will give you information, send you claims forms and give help filling in claims for Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Carers Allowance.
- Tel: 0800 882 200
- Textphone: 0800 243 355
- Website: www.dwp.gov.uk
Email this pageLast modified by: Dawn Rowe on 13/03/2009