The Carer’s Allowance- Explained.

28-Sep-2020 15:13:41

What is the Carer's Allowance?

If you care for someone, you may be entitled to the Carer's Allowance.

If you are unsure if you are a carer, take a look at our 'am I a carer?' blog which will shed some light on whether you are a carer and if you are eligible for financial support.

The Carer's Allowance currently is £67.25 per week. This is to assist with any expenses that you may be met with when caring for your loved one.

There has been a great deal of controversy surrounding the Carer's Allowance, where carers are campaigning and lobbying government for an increase.

It is important that you get all of the carer support that you are entitled to. Read on if you are a carer and you are not receiving the Carer's Allowance, as it could help support you to care for your loved one and ease any financial burdens.

Am I entitled to the Carer's Allowance?

Your Requirements	Your Loved One's Requirements
Over the course of a week, you provide 35+ hours of care to a disabled loved one.	They must only be cared for by you for over 35 hours per week.
You are a carer for your loved-one. However, if someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance.	The person being cared for must receive at least one of the benefits listed below: Personal Independence Payment (the daily living component). Disability Living Allowance at the middle or highest care rate. Attendance Allowance. Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal maximum rate, alongside an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit. Constant Attendance Allowance at the basic full-day rate with a War Disablement Pension. Armed Forces Independence Payment.
You're aged 16 or over
It is important that you have lived in England, Scotland, or Wales for at least 2 out of the last 3 years (since 2018), unless you are a refugee or have humanitarian protection status.
What you earn from paid work cannot exceed £128 per week after taxation, national insurance, and necessary expenses. Necessary expenses can include: care costs that are equivalent to 50% of your earnings, 50% of your pension contributions, travel costs relating to your work that are not paid by your employer, and business costs if you are self-employed.
You cannot be in full-time education, which is classed as studying 21 hours per week or more.
The relationship to your loved one does not matter- you do not even have to be related.
If you are subject to immigration control, you cannot receive this benefit.
You live in England, Scotland, or Wales. Alternatively, you are a serving member of the armed forces who has been stationed abroad. If you live in an EEA country or Switzerland, you may still qualify.
Both remote and in-person care means that you are entitled to the Carer's Allowance.

How does Covid-19 impact the Carer's Allowance?

You can still qualify for this allowance if you are providing remote care during the pandemic. The government has confirmed that caring for a loved one includes providing emotional support.

If you are forced to take a break from caring due to self-isolation, your Carer’s Allowance payments will not be impacted.

What is the impact of the Carer's Allowance on the benefits I currently have?

You cannot claim the Carer’s Allowance if you receive:

This can be put down to overlapping benefits rules. Essentially, if you’re already receiving the amount that the Carer’s Allowance provides then you are unfortunately not entitled to it.

That being said, the Carer’s Allowance does not count towards a benefits cap. However, if you receive Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit, then you should contact HMRC to make them aware of your claim.

That being said, you can still put in a claim, but as an ‘underlying entitlement’.

It’s a good idea to get an online benefit check to see if the Carer's Allowance can be claimed as an ‘underlying entitlement’.

Equally, the person you care for may lose their:

It is likely that some of your benefits will be reduced, but in most cases the amount of your total benefits will either go up or remain the same.

What else am I entitled to?

If you are entitled to the Carer’s Allowance, it is possible that you are also entitled to:

Support from your local council.
Reduced Council Tax
Grants and Bursaries for any training you may need to fulfill your care obligations.
Universal Credit (depending on your employment status).
Pension Credit.
Income Support, providing you receive the Severe Disability Premium and you're on a low income. Alternatively, if you receive the Severe Disability Premium and cannot work, you may be entitled to Income-based Employment and Support Allowance.
If you reside in Scotland, you may also be entitled to the Carer's Allowance Supplement.

How can I get the Carer's Allowance?

You can apply either online or by post. Take a look at the gov.uk website for the details you will need to include and where to submit these details.

Remember, you can always appeal decisions due to mandatory reconsideration measures being put in place for every applicant.

However, we understand that this can be a lengthy and complicated process, which is why we want to make it easier for you.

You could book a carer support call to have us guide you through the application process.

Or you could subscribe for early access to the Reflect App, where we can give you advice on the application process and more background information regarding Carer's Allowance.