Covid-19 and Activities
Carers allowance
Money and Benefits
Carers Allowance
You may be eligible for Carers Allowance if you are aged 16 or over and spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who is receiving the higher or middle rate component of Disability Living Allowance.
To find out more about Carers Allowance go to: https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance
You may be able to get extra money added to your existing benefits or credits if you claim Carer's Allowance. This is called Carer Premium and it will be added automatically once you are receiving Carers Allowance - you do not need to make an application. Marie Curie has a helpful explainer on Carers Premium.
You can make an application for Carers Allowance on your own, but you may want to have a Carers Assessment with a social worker to discuss your wider needs. As part of a Carers Assessment a social worker will support you to apply for Carers Allowance.
To find out more about Carers Assessments and how to request one, go to our page here.
You may also want to take a look at the other local support available to you.
Carers Credit
Carers Credit is not a benefit but will help make sure you will still have a state pension even if your caring responsibilities mean that you can’t work.
You could get Carer’s Credit if you’re caring for someone for at least 20 hours a week.
As with Carers Premium, you'll automatically receive Carers Credit if you are already in receipt of Carers Allowance.
To find out more and to apply go to: https://www.gov.uk/carers-credit
You will need a health and social care professional to sign the claim form for you.