What is Carer’s Allowance
Carer’s Allowance is a benefit paid to carers by the UK Government through the Department of Work and Pensions. It is presently £67.60 a week and the amount is reviewed annually.
Carer’s Allowance is not a means tested benefit, which means it is not based on your and/or any partner’s income and capital, nor is it dependent on your National Insurance record. However, there is a cap on how much you can earn from work and still be entitled to Carer’s Allowance, which we’ll talk about more below.
OK, and what about Carer’s Allowance Supplement?
Carers Allowance Supplement is a top-up benefit on-top of Carer’s Allowance paid to carers living in Scotland. It’s paid as a lump sum twice a year to people in receipt of Carer’s Allowance on the qualifying date. The first qualifying date this year was 13 April 2020 and the second 12 October 2020. If you got Carers Allowance on either qualifying date, you will be getting the supplement. It’s an automatic additional payment. If you think you might be missing yours, you can contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
Going forward those eligibility dates roll on every six months for the lifetime of the payment. The Scottish Government says this is an interim top-up while they negotiate for Social Security Scotland to take over from the Department of Work and Pensions in delivering Carers’ Allowance. The proposed amount for each Carer’s Allowance Supplement payment in 2020 is £230.10. This amount will be confirmed in April 2020.
Remember that both Carer’s Allowance and the Supplement are taxable. On their own they’re below the tax threshold, however if you have other sources of taxable income (like a personal, or work pension, or part-time earnings,) and together it totals more than the annual personal allowance (which is £12,500 a year for the 2019/20 tax year) then you’ll need to let HMRC know you’re receiving these benefits.
OK, am I eligible for Carer’s Allowance?
You may get Carer’s Allowance if you:
- Are 16 or over
- Spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone
- Have been in Great Britain for at least 2 of last 3 years and
- The person you care must get one of the qualifying disability benefits which include: Attendance Allowance; Disability Living Allowance (middle or highest care rate) and Personal Independence Payment (daily living component).
You may not get Carer’s Allowance if you’re in full-time education, studying for 21 hours or more a week or if you earn more than £120 a week (after tax). If you can’t be paid Carer’s Allowance due to the ‘overlapping benefit rule’, there are other carer specific benefits:
- There are carer premiums which can be added on to
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income Support
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Extra Pension Credit is available to carers
- There is a carer element in Universal Credit
How do I apply for Carer’s Allowance?
You can apply for Carer’s Allowance online – click here to be taken to the Gov.uk website.
If you need support to apply for Carer’s Allowance or advice on benefits and other financial matters, please book an appointment at one of VOCAL’s free Money Matters surgeries.
Not sure if you are eligible? Watch our video below where carer support worker Shirley explains that many carers underestimate the number of hours support they provide for the person they care for, and therefore miss out on claiming it. Or you can book a ‘benefits check’ at our free Money Matters surgeries.