For more information or advice contact Care for the Carers call 01323 738390 or email info @ cftc. org. uk
Carer’ s Allowance Made Simple
Figures mentioned in this article will be in effect from April 2013.
Carers Allowance, worth £ 59.75 per week, is a non-means tested benefit available to people over 16 who are caring for someone for at least 35 hours per week, whether they live together or not.‘ Caring’ can include emotional support and‘ watching over’ as well as physical assistance.
The person you care for must receive:
»» Attendance Allowance
»»
Disability Living Allowance care component at the middle or highest rate
However, not everyone will be eligible for the £ 59.75 per week as there are some exceptions. You may not get Carer’ s Allowance because of the following:
The Earnings Limit You cannot get Carers Allowance if your earnings( after tax & deductions) are over £ 100 per week.
The Overlapping Benefits Rule You cannot be paid Carers Allowance if you receive the same amount or more from the following benefits:
»» |
State Pension |
»» |
Incapacity Benefit |
»» |
Contribution-based |
Employment & Support |
Allowance |
»» |
Maternity Allowance |
»» |
Contribution-based |
Jobseekers Allowance |
»» |
Severe Disablement |
Allowance |
»» |
Unemployability Supplement |
»» |
State Training Allowance |
»» |
Widow’ s or Bereavement |
Benefits |
BUT you can still have‘ underlying entitlement’, which can make means- tested benefits more generous because the calculation will include a carer premium of £ 33.30 per week. This means that you could get extra money through Pension Credit, Income Support, Housing and Council Tax Benefit.
Effects on other benefits Finally, people need to be aware of the implications of a payment of Carers Allowance on other benefits. When Carers Allowance is paid, it counts as income for means-tested benefits, as well as generating a carer premium, but it can also remove the more valuable severe disability premium, which may be paid with means-tested benefits to a disabled person who lives on their own.
Take advice to find out the most advantageous course of action. Contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau or the benefits team at your local council.
If you live in Wealden District, you can also contact Jaki Hall, Benefits Liaison Officer at Wealden District Council on 01323 443774.
Rother District Council Online www. rother. gov. uk Email benefits @ rother. gov. uk Call 01424 787740 Write to Benefits Department Rother District Council PO Box 60 Bexhill-on-Sea, TN39 3ZF
Wealden District Council Online www. wealden. gov. uk Email benefits @ wealden. gov. uk Call 01323 443500 Write to Wealden District Council, The Benefits Service, Council Offices, Vicarage Lane, Hailsham, BN27 2AX
www. cftc. org. uk 5