Caregivers are eligible for certain benefits.

Carer's Allowance will be £69 in 2022-23. 70 a week

You might be able to get it if you do the following:

• devote at least 35 hours per week to caring for someone
• are 16 years old or older
• are not enrolled in a full-time program or studying for 21 hours per week or more
• Earn £132 or less per week (after tax, NI, and expenses) in 2022-2023.

That equates to £6,864 per year.

The person for whom you are caring must also be receiving benefits as a result of their illness or disability. As an example:

• Allowance for Attendance
• Disability Living Allowance (the care component's middle or higher rate)
• Personal Independence Payment (either the daily living component or the higher rate)
• Payment for Armed Forces Independence

The Carer's Allowance is taxed. However, you will only be required to pay tax if you have other sources of taxable income. For instance, occupational or personal pensions, as well as part-time earnings And if your combined income exceeds the tax threshold - £12,570 per year in 2022-2023) Carer's Allowance alone is currently less than this threshold.

What impact does Carer's Allowance have on other benefits?

Carer's Allowance can also affect other benefits you may be receiving, so you may be paid less in another benefit.

If you receive Universal Credit, it will be considered income. However, because you are a caregiver, you may be eligible for additional Universal Credit.

It can also have an impact on the person you're caring for's benefits. For example, if they are receiving Severe Disability Premium, this may be terminated if you claim Carer's Allowance.

Keeping your earnings below the threshold

You are no longer eligible for Carer's Allowance if your weekly take-home pay is more than £132 (2022-23) after deductions.

HMRC now provides the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) with up-to-date earnings information.

If you earn more than this amount in a given week, you must notify the DWP. If you do not, you will be required to repay the amount you were overpaid.

If your earnings vary from week to week, you must notify the DWP. This is done so that they can average out your earnings and keep you under the limit.

Your local Jobcentre Plus – or Jobs and Benefits Office in Northern Ireland – can advise you on which benefits to apply for. You can also contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

These websites have more information about Carer's Allowance:

If you live in Scotland and receive Carer's Allowance, you will also receive a supplementary payment.

The initial payment of £245 June is 70. You'll get it if you're receiving Carer's Allowance on April 11, 2022.

The second payment will be £245 in December. 70 If you were already receiving Carer's Allowance on October 10, 2022, you will be eligible for this.

If you already receive Carer's Allowance, you will not be eligible for Carer's Allowance Supplement. Your other benefits or tax credits will not be affected by the Carer's Allowance Supplement.

Carer's Credit is a National Insurance credit that can be used to fill gaps in your National Insurance record.

It contributes to your State Pension even if you are not making any contributions due to your caring role.

You may be eligible for Carer's Credit if:

• you are 16 or older
• You are not yet receiving a State Pension.
• You are not eligible for Carer's Allowance.
• you devote at least 20 hours per week to caring for someone
• the person you’re looking after gets a benefit because of their illness or disability As an example:

  • Disability Living Allowance - the care component's middle or highest rate

  • Allowance for Attendance  

  • Allowance for Consistent Attendance

  • Personal Independence Payment is a daily living allowance.

  • Payment for Armed Forces Independence

  • Child Disability Payment (CDP) care component middle or highest rate   

If the person you're caring for does not qualify for one of these benefits, you may be able to make a claim by completing a 'Care Certificate.'

Wales, England, and Scotland

You may be eligible for an additional Carer Premium if you already receive:

• Income Assistance
• Get Universal Credit and the 'carer element'
• Housing Allowance
• Rate Relief for Council Tax in Northern Ireland
• Jobseeker's Allowance based on income
• Employment and Support Allowance based on income
• Pension Credit with a 'carer addition'

Ask your local Jobcentre Plus or Jobs and Benefits Office about the Carer Premium. However, if you qualify, the payment is usually automatically added.

If you have reached State Pension age, you are eligible for this benefit. It is intended to supplement your retirement income. It is divided into two parts:

• Credit Assured

• Savings Credit (available only if you reached State Pension age prior to April 6, 2016)

One in every three people who are eligible for Pension Credit do not apply for it. If you are one of them, you are losing hundreds of pounds per year.

If you live with a partner, you can only claim Pension Credit if both of you have reached State Pension age.

If you have an unexpected and urgent financial need and receive certain benefits or have a very low income, you may be able to get local assistance. This is known as local welfare assistance.

Contact your local council to learn more about the services they may be able to offer.  

Other benefits you may be eligible for

As a caregiver, you may be eligible for additional benefits and assistance.

These benefits are being replaced by Universal Credit:

• Working Tax Relief
• Tax Break for Children
• Jobseeker's Allowance based on income
• Employment and Support Allowance based on income
• Housing Allowance
• Income Assistance

If you're making a new claim for means-tested benefits to help you if you're on a low income, you'll need to apply for Universal Credit.

If you care for a severely disabled person for at least 35 hours per week, you may be eligible for the Universal Credit carer element.

If you are currently receiving any of the benefits that will be replaced by Universal Credit, you will continue to receive them until:

• Because of a change in circumstances, you must file a new claim.
• The DWP requests that you begin claiming Universal Credit.

A change in circumstances includes events such as starting a new job, having a child, and beginning or ceasing to be a caregiver.

Before filing a claim, contact Citizens Advice Help to Claim to learn more about how this will affect your income. The service is both free and private.

If you rent, you may be eligible for housing assistance through the Housing Costs component of Universal Credit (or Housing Benefit if you are over the State Pension age).

If you own a home, you may be eligible for assistance with your mortgage interest payments through Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI). This is available as a repayable loan.

Other options if you have a low income

You may also be eligible for financial assistance with your:

• fuel
• health-care costs
• The Council Tax
• home maintenance services

Other programs and benefits

If you are caring for someone who has limited mobility, they may be eligible for assistance from the Motability scheme. This can be accomplished by providing a car, a wheelchair, or a powered scooter.

Blue badge parking permits enable drivers to park in more convenient locations, such as disabled parking bays, for passengers with mobility issues.

You can also park for up to three hours on single or double lines.

Railcard for Disabled Persons

The Disabled Persons Railcard entitles the cardholder and a companion or carer to one-third off most adult rail fares on the National Rail network.

It costs £20 per year or £54 for three years. You can purchase one at any ticket office or apply online.  

Card for the Cinema Exhibitors' Association

This card entitles you to one free movie ticket when you take someone you care for to the movies. It is accepted by all national movie theater chains. The card can be obtained online.

Carers can take advantage of numerous free or discounted entry offers at museums, leisure centers, and National Trust properties across the country.

They are not always advertised, so it is worthwhile to inquire when purchasing tickets.

Several local governments also provide carers with shopping, leisure, and other discounts. Inquire with your local government about any additional services they provide.

Where can I get assistance and advice about benefits?

Caregiver benefits can be difficult to obtain. As a result, it's critical to ensure that you're receiving the proper benefits.