Benefits for Carers

Many carers have to rethink their finances as they have to reduce their working hours or give up work altogether whilst caring.

As a carer you may be entitled to a Carers Allowance as well as other benefits. The main benefits for carers and the people they look after are;

• Carer's Allowance - the main benefit for people looking after a family member or friend who is ill or disabled
• Help with Council Tax - carers may be able to reduce their council tax bill and/or claim Council Tax Benefit Incapacity Benefit
• Disability Living Allowance - this is for disabled people under 65 who have difficulties with their personal care and/or mobility
• Income Support/Pension Credit - for people on a low income who do not have to look for work e.g. carers or people aged 60
• Attendance Allowance - for disabled people aged 65 or over who have difficulties looking after themselves
• Working Tax Credit - to claim you should usually be over 25 and work for at least 30 hours a week
• Child Tax Credit - for people who look after a child under 16 (or under 19 in education)
• Help with Health Costs - people on a low income or who have certain medical conditions may be able to get help with health costs
• Social Fund - this helps people to pay for specific costs such as a funeral, winter fuel payments or cold weather expenses
• Housing Benefit - helps people on a low income to pay their rent
• Jobseeker's Allowance - for people who are unemployed or work part-time and are expected to find full-time work

Carers UK provide a good guide on what you may be able to claim for or you can download a useful local guide published by the Benefits and Charging Service (Word doc - 73KB).