As a carer, you may wish to check that you, and the person you care for, are receiving the benefits that you are entitled to. Below is an overview of benefits you may be eligible for.
Attendance Allowance
You need to be of state pension age and have an illness or disability that makes it hard for you to look after yourself.
Attendance Allowance is paid weekly at two different rates – the one you get depends on the level of help you need. It is not means-tested – what you earn or how much you have in savings will not affect what you get.
If you are under state pension age, refer to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) section.
Find more information at www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance or by calling 0800 731 0122
Carers Allowance
For people who spend at least 35 hours a week providing regular care to someone who has a disability. You need to be over 16 years old and not in full time education. The person you are caring for needs to be in receipt of a qualifying benefit. You can claim Carer’s Allowance whether you are in or out of work, however, will need to earn less than £132 in take home pay per week. Savings will not be taken into account.
You do not qualify for Carer’s Allowance if someone else is already claiming Carer’s Allowance for looking after the same person.
Find more information at www.gov.uk/carers-allowance or by calling 0800 731 0297
Child Tax credits
For new claimants this has been replaced by Universal credits.
Find more information at www.gov.uk/universal-credit or by calling 0800 328 5644
Cold weather payments
Money to help with fuel costs during periods of very cold weather. If you qualify as receiving eligible benefits, it will be paid to you automatically. You may get extra help if you are a Carer, have a disability or look after a child.
Find more information at www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment
Council Tax discount and reduction
Council Tax discounts depend on who is living in your home rather than income and savings.
You could be eligible if you’re on a low income or claim benefits. The scheme varies across different councils so contact your local Council Tax team.
Find more information at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/council-tax or by calling: 0345 034 4569 – East & North Dorset | 01305 211970 – Purbeck, West Dorset, and Weymouth & Portland
Employment and Support Allowance
You can apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work. ESA gives you:
- money to help with living costs if you’re unable to work
- support to get back into work if you’re able to
You can apply if you’re employed, self-employed or unemployed.
Find more information at www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance or by calling 0800 328 5644
Housing Benefit
Housing Benefit has been replaced with the housing element of Universal Credit.
You can claim help towards your rent if you are employed or unemployed. To be eligible, you must be liable for paying rent or rates on a property you live in as your main home.
Find more information at www.gov.uk/universal-credit or by calling 0800 328 5644
Incapacity Benefit
This has been replaced by Employment and Support Allowance.
Find more information at www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance or by calling 0800 328 5644
Income support
For new claimants this has been replaced by Universal credits.
Find more information at www.gov.uk/universal-credit or by calling 0800 328 5644
Jobseekers Allowance
You might be able to get ‘new style’ Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) while you look for a full-time job. You can get it while you’re out of work, or if you’re working less than 16 hours a week. You can claim new style JSA on its own or with Universal Credit
Find more information at www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance or by calling 0800 055 6688
Pension Credit
Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. You may get extra help if you are a Carer, have a disability or look after a child.
Find more information at www.gov.uk/pension-credit or by calling 0800 99 1234
Personal Independence Payment
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help with extra living costs if you have both a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability, and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition.
You can get PIP even if you’re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.
Find more information at www.gov.uk/pip or by calling 0800 917 2222
State Retirement Pension
You will not get your new State Pension automatically, you have to claim it. You should get a letter no later than two months before you reach State Pension age, telling you what to do.
If you have not received a letter, but you are within 3 months of reaching your State Pension age, you can still make a claim.
Find more information at www.gov.uk/browse/working/state-pension or by calling 0800 731 0469
Statutory Sick pay
You can get £99.35 per week Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you’re too ill to work. It’s paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks
Find more information at www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay
Universal Credit
It has replaced several other benefits into one monthly payment to cover your living costs. You might be able to get Universal Credit if you’re not working or you’re on a low income. The payment is made up of a basic ‘standard allowance’ and extra payments that might apply to you depending on your circumstances.
Find more information at www.gov.uk/universal-credit or by calling 0800 328 5644
Winter fuel payments
If you receive the state pension it will be paid to you automatically.
Find more information at www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment or by calling 0800 731 0160
Working Tax credits
For new claimants this has been replaced by Universal credits.
Find more information at www.gov.uk/universal-credit or by calling 0800 328 5644
More information
If you need further help or advice, there are a number of organisations you can contact.
These include:
Citizen’s Advice
A charity with local offices offering support on benefits, housing and future planning –
www.citizensadvice.org.uk | 0800 144 8848
They have a page specifically with advice for carers – www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/looking-after-people/carers-help-and-support
For information specific to Dorset –
www.citizensadvicedorset.org.uk
Department for Work & Pensions
Help and advice on claiming benefits – www.gov.uk/browse/benefits
Turn2Us
Turn2us helps people in financial need gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help – www.turn2us.org.uk | 0808 802 2000
