A local expert from Citizen’s Advice provides timely tips on consumer issues.
Q: ‘I have had to give up work to look after my partner. Can I claim the Carer’s Allowance now?’
A: Carer’s Allowance is a benefit for people who give regular and substantial care to disabled people. Carer’s Allowance is a taxable benefit and forms part of your taxable income.
You can usually get Carer’s Allowance if all of the following apply:
- you’re aged 16 or over
- you’re not in full time education
- you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a disabled person
- you don’t earn more than £151 a week from employment or self-employment
The person you’re caring for must get a ‘qualifying benefit’. These include:
- Attendance Allowance
- the middle or highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance
- the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment
You’ll get less or no Carer’s Allowance if you get some other benefits including:
state retirement pension
- state retirement pension
- contributory ESA
- contribution-based JSA
- Maternity Allowance
help from your nearest Citizens Advice. If you get any means-tested benefits (eg universal credit), Carer’s Allowance counts as income when these benefits are worked out.
If the person you’re caring for gets a benefit with a Severe Disability Premium/Addition, this premium/addition will cease if you claim Carer’s Allowance. The other person should contact the DWP or their local council to let them know you’re getting Carer’s Allowance. Always check with the person you’re caring for before you apply for Carer’s Allowance because you might cause their income to be reduced.
To make a claim for Carer’s Allowance you can:
- Use the online Claim Carer’s Allowance service on GOV.UK
- download and print a Carer’s Allowance claim form, fill it in and send it by post
If you need help making your claim, contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit:
Telephone: 0800 731 0297
Textphone: 0800 731 0317
Your claim can be backdated for up to three months if you were eligible.
- If disability benefits stop for the person you’re caring for, you must contact the DWP to let them know that the person’s disability benefits have stopped. If you don’t let the DWP know, you may incur an overpayment, which could incur a civil penalty.
