Note: this leaflet gives a brief summary of Carer's Allowance and is for guidance only. It does not cover all situations, nor is it a full statement of the law. Sources of further, more detailed information are given at the end.

Who can get Carer's Allowance?

Not every carer is eligible for Carer's Allowance. This is because there are certain rules which apply to the carer, and to the person being cared for. The rules include the following.

Regarding the carer

It does not matter if you (the carer) are related to the ill or disabled person, or whether you live in the same household. For example, you could care for a relative who lives with you. Or, for example, you could care for a friend or neighbour who lives in a different home from you. However:

• You must be aged over 16.
• You must be spending at least 35 hours a week looking after the ill or disabled person. You do not need to care for the person every day - just for 35 hours or more per week.
• You cannot earn over a certain amount from other work (after allowable expenses and deductions such as income tax). However, to be eligible for Carer's Allowance your savings are not taken into account and it does not depend on whether you have paid any National Insurance (NI) contributions.
• You cannot get Carer's Allowance if you are on a course of full-time education, or you are on holiday from full-time education. Full-time education means a course which is described as full-time by the educational establishment providing it. However, note that if the educational establishment describes the course as part-time, but attendance is required for 21 hours or more each week, it will be treated as full-time.

Regarding the person you care for

The person you are caring for must be receiving one of the following benefits which are paid to them because they need care:

• Attendance Allowance.
• Or the Care Component of Disability Living Allowance, paid at the middle or higher rate.
• Or Constant Attendance Allowance with:
  • Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (at, or above, the normal maximum rate).
  • Or War Disablement Pension (at the basic full day rate or above).

If the person you care for is not receiving one of the above benefits, and you are spending a lot of time caring for them, then they are likely to be entitled to one of these benefits and they should claim. This will give them extra money and also enable you to claim Carer's Allowance.

But note: certain benefits for the person you care for can reduce if you get Carer's Allowance. For example, if the person you care for gets Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, they may lose the Severe Disability Premium if that is included in their benefit.

How much is Carer's Allowance?

The standard rate of Carer's Allowance from April 2011 is £55.55 a week (the rate usually increases each April). Payment is usually made directly into a bank account, building society account, Post Office account, or National Savings account. However, it can be complicated as various factors can affect whether you get this standard rate, or whether you can get more or less. For example:

• Carer's Allowance is a taxable benefit.
• You may not be able to claim Carer's Allowance in full if you are already receiving certain other benefits at certain rates. These are called overlapping benefits. For example, State Retirement Pension.
• Also, as mentioned, the person cared for may have a reduction in certain benefits if you receive Carer's Allowance.

However:

• You may get more money if you receive certain other benefits such as Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance.
• You may be able to receive extra payments for a partner or dependent children, subject to certain conditions. (For example, depending if they have an income or benefits above a certain level.)

Because of the complicated rules, it may not be easy to work out if you are entitled to Carer's Allowance, and if you are, how it may affect your other benefits. Therefore, if you are considering claiming, it is best to take expert advice. (See below for sources of advice.)

You will normally get an NI contribution added to your NI record for each week you get Carer's Allowance.

How can I claim Carer's Allowance?

You, or someone on your behalf, needs to complete a claim form. To get a claim form:

• Telephone the Benefit Enquiry Line (details below) to request a form.
• Or go to the Directgov website (details below), a government site where you can download a claim form.
• Or ask the Carer's Allowance Unit (details below) to send you a form.
• Or get a form from your local Jobcentre Plus office or local social security office.
• Or, if you live in Northern Ireland, you can go to the website of the Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland (details below) which has a claim form online.

What if circumstances change?

You should report any changes in your circumstances, or the circumstances of the person you are caring for, or the circumstances of a dependent adult. This can affect whether you will still get Carer's Allowance, or if the amount should change. For example, report any changes to your income, benefits, employment status, if you go into full-time education, if the cared-for person goes into hospital or a residential home, etc.

For example, if the person you care for goes into a residential home, then the benefit is stopped. But it is not stopped if the person has a short admission into hospital. Another example is that you can take up to four weeks' holiday away from the person that you care for in every 26-week period without affecting the benefit payments.

If the person you care for dies, you will receive Carer's Allowance for a further eight weeks before it is stopped. This is to give you some time to adjust and to make plans for the future.

Further information, help and advice

Directgov

Web: www.direct.gov.uk.
Directgov provides information from across UK government departments. The site also brings together a number of online government services - including being able to download and/or complete certain benefit claim forms online.

Carer's Allowance Unit

Tel: 0845 608 4321
Textphone: 0845 604 5312
Web: www.direct.gov.uk/carers
Contains information, advice and claim forms as well as a comprehensive Benefit Advisor tool which provides details of which benefits people may be entitled to, how much they might get, and to find out how their benefits may be affected if their circumstances change.

Disability and Carers Service

This is part of the Department for Social Development for people living in Northern Ireland. Telephone:

• Disability Living Allowance: 028 9090 6182
• Attendance Allowance: 028 9090 6178
• Carers Allowance: 028 9090 6186

Textphone: 0800 243 787
Web: www.dsdni.gov.uk

Benefit Enquiry Line (BEL)

England, Wales and Scotland - Tel: 0800 88 22 00 Textphone: 0800 24 33 55
Northern Ireland - Tel: 0800 220 674 Textphone: 0800 243 787
For people with disabilities, their carers and representatives. Offers confidential advice and information on benefits and how to claim them. In addition they can also send out a range of leaflets and claim packs, and help you to complete a claim form over the phone.

Citizens Advice Bureau

Provides independent advice on many issues, including benefits. Listed in the phone book under 'Citizens Advice Bureaux'. Also, see their website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Carers UK

Ruth Pitter House, 20-25 Glasshouse Yard, London, EC1A 4JT
Tel (CarersLine): 0808 808 7777 Web: www.carersuk.org
Among other things, Carers UK provides an information and advice service for carers.

References

• Carer's Allowance, Directgov