The Division for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a brand new ‘easy-read’ information to Carer's Allowance, a cost for individuals who spend at the least 35 hours every week offering common care to somebody who has a incapacity or medical situation.
The steerage on the GOV.UK web site, explains the way you don't have to be associated to, or stay with the individual you take care of to qualify for Carer’s Allowance, nevertheless, the individual you take care of should be receiving sure advantages due to their situation, which in some instances must be paid at a particular price.
Carer's Allowance is now paid at £69.70 every week and you may select to be paid weekly prematurely or each 4 weeks, supplying you with £278.80 every cost interval.
Nevertheless, for those who qualify for Carer’s Allowance, your different profit funds might change, however the DWP steerage states that your complete advantages will normally go up or keep the identical.
If you get Carer’s Allowance, the individual you take care of will normally cease getting:
- Extreme Incapacity Premium paid with their advantages
- An additional quantity of extreme incapacity paid with Pension Credit score
They might additionally cease getting diminished Council Tax
Claiming Carer’s Allowance with State Pension
You can't get the total quantity of each Carer’s Allowance and your State Pension on the identical time.
The DWP explains: “Should you get State Pension, you possibly can nonetheless get Carer’s Allowance if that is lower than your State Pension advantages.”
In case your pension is £69.70 per week or extra, you'll not get a Carer’s Allowance cost, however your Pension Credit score funds will improve as an alternative.
In case your pension is lower than £69.70 per week, you're going to get a Carer’s Allowance cost to make up the distinction.
In case you are not eligible
You is likely to be eligible for Carer’s Credit score for those who’re not eligible for Carer’s Allowance.
You would get Carer’s Credit score for those who’re caring for somebody for at the least 20 hours per week.
Carer’s Credit score is a Nationwide Insurance coverage credit score that helps with gaps in your Nationwide Insurance coverage report - your State Pension relies in your Nationwide Insurance coverage report.
Discover out extra about Nationwide Insurance coverage credit on GOV.UK, right here.
Am I eligible for Carer’s Allowance?
You might be eligible for Carer’s Allowance for those who, the individual you take care of and the kind of care you present meets sure standards.
The individual you take care of should already get one in every of these advantages:
Private Independence Cost (PIP) - each day residing element
Incapacity Dwelling Allowance (DLA) - the center or highest care price
Attendance Allowance
Fixed Attendance Allowance at or above the traditional most price with an Industrial Accidents Disablement Profit
Fixed Attendance Allowance on the fundamental (full day) price with a Battle Disablement Pension
Armed Forces Independence Cost
Youngster Incapacity Cost on the center or highest care price
Grownup Incapacity Cost at the usual or enhanced care price of the each day residing element
If another person additionally cares for a similar individual as you, solely one in every of you possibly can declare Carer’s Allowance.
The kind of care you present
It's good to spend at the least 35 hours per week caring for somebody.
This may embrace:
serving to with washing and cooking
taking the individual you take care of to a physician’s appointment
serving to with family duties, like managing payments and buying

Eligibility
Steering on GOV.UK states that all the following should apply:
You might be 16 or over
You spend at the least 35 hours per week caring for somebody
You will have been in Scotland for at the least two of the final three years (this doesn't apply for those who’re a refugee or have humanitarian safety standing)
You aren't in full-time schooling
You aren't learning for 21 hours per week or extra
You aren't topic to immigration management
Your earnings are £128 or much less per week after tax, Nationwide Insurance coverage and bills
How do I make a declare for Carer's Allowance?
You possibly can declare on-line on the GOV.UK web site right here or telephone the Carer’s Allowance Unit for a declare kind on 0800 731 0297.
Earlier than you apply be sure you have your:
Nationwide Insurance coverage quantity (when you've got a accomplice you’ll want theirs too)
Financial institution or constructing society particulars
Employment particulars and newest payslip for those who’re working
P45 for those who’ve lately completed work
Course particulars for those who’re learning
Particulars of any bills, for instance pension contributions or the price of caring on your youngsters or the disabled individual whilst you’re at work
GOV.UK steerage states that you simply additionally want particulars of the individual you take care of.
You want their:
Date of delivery and handle
Nationwide Insurance coverage quantity if they're 16 or over
Incapacity Dwelling Allowance reference if they're underneath 16
Extra assist and recommendation about Carer's Allowance
You may get extra assist and recommendation from:
Discover out extra about claiming Carer’s Allowance on the Gov.uk web site right here.
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