Carer's allowance

Eligibility criteria for carers to get this type of financial help includes:

• Those spending at least 35 hours a week caring for a disabled person
• The person they care for gets Disability Living Allowance at the middle or highest care component rate or Attendance Allowance (at any rate)

There is a limit on what the carer is allowed to earn if they receive this benefit – from April 2010-2011 Carers Allowance is £55.55 per week, and the earnings limit £100.

Carers Allowance can’t be paid in addition to State Retirement Pension - the carer normally gets whichever is the higher amount. But receiving Carers Allowance entitles the carer to a ‘carer’s premium’ when calculating Income Support, Employment Support Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

This means that carers will get an increased amount of benefit if they are already entitled to it, or they might become entitled to one or more of these benefits for the first time. But it’s important to remember that if a carer is paid this allowance the service user’s benefit may be reduced as a result.

Carer’s Credit has been introduced from 6 April 2010. It is a National Insurance credit which helps carers build up qualifying years for the basic State Pension and additional State Pension.

To qualify for Carer’s Credit you must care for one or more disabled people for a total of 20 hours or more per week. Each person you care for must receive:

• Disability Living Allowance care component at the middle or highest rate; or
• Attendance Allowance at any rate; or
• Constant Attendance Allowance at any rate

Where a person being cared for does not receive an appropriate qualifying benefit, Carer’s Credit can still be awarded if you supply a Care Certificate. This will need to be signed by a health or social care professional.

If you have any questions about Carer’s Credit, contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit:

Telephone: 0845 608 4321