Financial support if you're a carerDo you look after a disabled person - the person could be young, old, a friend, relative or neighbour? If you do, this section describes the situations in which you might be able to get financial and practical help. Carer's AllowanceYou may be able to get Carer's Allowance if you are:
- aged 16 or over
- earning below the earnings limit, after we take off certain expenses
- not in full-time education
- providing regular and substantial care of at least 35 hours a week to a disabled person, and
- living in Great Britain (and have been for at least 26 of the last 52 weeks) and are not under immigration control.
You maybe interested in training or getting a job . If you start work, you must tell the Carer's Allowance Unit. If you are on a low income, you may be able to get Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. Carer's Allowance is taken into account in these benefits. Instead we will pay a carer premium or an extra amount for carers. Other financial supportIncome Support
If you cannot get Carer's Allowance or it is not enough to live on, you might be able to get Income Support. Pension Credit
If you or your partner are aged 60 or over, live in Great Britain and are on a low income, you might be able to get Pension Credit. State Pension
You will get a National Insurance credit for each week you are paid Carer's Allowance. Credits protect your right to State Pension. If you do not get Carer's Allowance but provide 35 hours of care for someone receiving Attendance Allowance or the highest rate or middle rate of Disability Living Allowance care component, Home Responsibilities Protection may help protect your State Pension.
(This does not apply to married women who have chosen to pay reduced National Insurance contributions). State Second Pension
You can build up entitlement to the State Second Pension if you get Carer's Allowance or qualify for Home Responsibilities Protection. For each complete tax year that you get Carer's Allowance or qualify for Home Responsibilities Protection, you will be treated as if you had earnings at the lower earnings threshold . This will give you extra income when you claim your State Pension. Home Responsibilities Protection
Home Responsibilities Protection is a scheme to help you protect your entitlement to State Pension if you're not paying National Insurance contributions Help with housing costs
If you are on a low income, you might be able to get help with your rent and Council Tax. You may also be able to get help with heating and insulation costs. Help with health costs
Depending on your circumstances, you might be entitled to help with health costs such as prescriptions, dental treatment and eyesight tests. The Social Fund
If you are on a low income and you meet certain conditions, you may be able to get help from the Social Fund with important costs that are hard to pay for out of your normal income.
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