Looking after someone is not only emotionally tough; it can also have a huge impact on your financial situation, especially if you have given up your job.
The financial help available to you is dependent upon your individual circumstances; however, it is worth checking both you and the person you are looking after are getting all the benefits you are entitled to claim.
Some local councils offer benefits advice to people with care and support needs.
Carer’s Allowance
Carer’s Allowance is paid to carers over 16 on a low income who spend 35 hours or more a week caring for someone.
Carer's Allowance is currently paid at £69.70 a week (2022/23).
You don’t have to be related to, or live with, the person you look after; however, they must be receiving certain disability benefits. You can only receive one weekly payment regardless of how many people you are caring for and you cannot claim if you share the care of one person and the other carer is claiming Carer’s Allowance.
Carer’s Allowance is taxable and could affect other benefits you and the other person receive, for example, Universal Credit.
If you get Carer’s Allowance for looking after someone, their severe disability premium and additional Pension Credit (for severe disability) will also stop.
Moving to a country in the European Economic Area (EEA)
Carer’s Allowance is one of the few benefits which can continue to be paid when the claimant moves to an EEA country (or Switzerland). You must, however, have a genuine link with the UK and fulfil certain eligibility criteria.
Contact the Exportability Team to find out more.
Underlying entitlement to Carer’s Allowance
The ‘overlapping’ rule means you can’t get certain benefits at the same time. For example, you can’t get Carer’s Allowance if you are claiming the State Pension.
Even if you are not eligible for Carer’s Allowance because of the ‘overlapping’ rule you may still have what is called an ‘underlying entitlement’. For example, carers get extra in Pension Credit, Universal Credit and Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Carer’s Credit
When you give up your job to look after someone, you may have gaps in your National Insurance record (which will affect your State Pension in the long-term).
Carer’s Credit fills in these National Insurance gaps if you are caring for someone for at least 20 hours a week.
You must be over 16 and under State Pension age and the person you are looking after must get certain benefits. You might qualify for Carer’s Credit even if you don’t get Carer’s Allowance.
Note: you don’t need to claim Carer’s Credit if you get Carer’s Allowance or Child Benefit (for a child under 12) as you are automatically getting NI credits.
The Carer’s Support Fund
Since 2020, local councils in Wales have been providing grants of up to £500 to unpaid carers who are experiencing financial hardship.
The grants can be used to pay for food, household and electronic items.
You must be receiving Carer’s Allowance on 31 March in the year you apply and must register within a certain time period.
For more information, contact your local council.
Wales Fuel Support Scheme
If you have an underlying entitlement to Carer’s Allowance – even if you are not receiving it because of other benefits – you can apply for a one-off £200 cash payment from your local council. You must apply within a certain time period.
For more information, visit gov.wales
More information
Carers UK provides comprehensive financial advice for carers.