If you are a full-time carer you may be entitled to Carer's Allowance to help you. Being a full-time carer requires a lot of your time, and in many cases people have to give up their main source of income. However, if you spend a minimum of 35 hours a week looking after a disabled person who is aged 16 or over.
You aren't entitled to Carer's Allowance if you are a full-time student with more than 21 hours spent under supervised study, or if you earn more than £204 after tax each week.
Carer's Allowance pays a maximum of £86.45 per week, an amount which is reduced depending on which other benefits you are receiving, such as state pensions.
When it comes to claiming for Carer's Allowance, the process is very simple. You can either request a claim form over the telephone by contacting your local benefits office. It is important, however, that once you have claimed you inform them of any changes to the circumstances of yourself or the person you are caring for.
According to the guidelines, the 'caring week' runs from Sunday to Saturday. This means that if you are a weekend carer, you could still be eligible to receive the allowance - provided you care for 35 hours or more.
Perfect Timing
If you are caring for someone who has recently been certain benefits, then you should apply for the Carer's Allowance straight away. These benefits include:
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (daily living component)
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- War Disablement Pension
It is important that you claim as soon as possible because the benefit cannot be back-dated.
There are things that, as a carer, you will need to pay for, but it is important to bear in mind that when your needs are assessed, the amount you are awarded does not depend on the amount you can afford to pay.
When you are assessed, your needs will be looked at before the social services assess you affordability. The assessment of your finances will provide the council with the level at which you can support yourself and the person you are caring for.
As a carer, you will need to pay for things like home help, meals and any sitting services that are required and it is things like this that aren't included in what the Carer's Allowance covers. You can't however, be charged for things like help and advice, equipment from a therapist or transport to get to and from day centres.
The charges you do incur are based on the government's fairer charging policies, which basically outlines the things that you, as a carer, can and can't be charged for. It says that you can't be charged for services if it will result in you being left with less that the basic income support levels.
Tell us what you need funding for and we will match you with the types of UK grant most likely to accept your application.
Try our Grant Eligibility Finder free, here on this site →Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
And Finally…
As a carer, you may be entitled to a reduction in council tax. This applies to those carers who live with the person they provide care for. To find out if you are eligible for a discount on your council tax bill, then you should get in touch with your local authority.
Many Local Authorities/County Councils have been given some extra funding to assist people who are struggling during the Covid crisis - just look up the authority for your area to see what help they can provide. There are also many charities which can help with small grants - again just look up what it is you are wanting - i.e. funding for ......
I.also have a 12 year old son who’s undergoing kidney transplant work up.
I’ve recently separated from my husband, their father, as the stress was just too much.
I was wondering would there be a grant or any funding so I could just have a couple of days away on my own to recharge my batteries and find myself again as I feel lost.
I have my own disabilities...rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia,
As much as I love my children, I mentally feel exhausted! I just need a break away from the meltdowns, administering medication, the inability to sleep as my daughter can’t so she walks around the house most of the night with me unable to settle her. I’m dreading her going back to school after the summer shutdown as she doesn’t cope well in school which usually ends up with my daughter having a major meltdown to the point she self harms.
I wish I could leave the children in the safety of their dad and just be able to be me again for a day or two and put my head in the sand, and relax for the first time in 7 years.
She is sent to a school 30 miles away by our local authority and I have to attend regularly driving on average 250-500 miles a month going back and forth to her school. She also has numerous appointments some more then 50 miles away.
There are no bus or rail links to her school and I have no family or friends to help.
My car is broken and unfixable. I cannot afford another car so I am cut off and when the school call to ask she is picked up when her health declines I am unable to get to her. She is only elible for the taxi to and from school.
What can I do?
my 13 year old boy has adhd/asd/extreme anxiety disorder/ dyslexia/
i don't work due to many appointments every week...i get carers also disability for him....im on my own also with 18 month girl....im moving in two weeks and have to pay 200 pounds for removal also had to buy my son alsorts to replace broken im sinking...i am paying out all the time im worried sick about moving i have not a pot to my name.....wish i worked to have more money its getting to me i cannot get a loan is there anyone who may help with a loan or grant on benefits or being im a full time carer please ? i cannot have a budgeting loan and owe i bought a new cooker !! help...
thank you
And I have heard about something called the carers support grant and that if you get carers allowance that it should automatically get in June evrey year. I've never received this.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I use my own vehicle a lot and it needs new tyres and a clutch .
Can I claim anything to help ?
I only work 20 hours a week with him
Mindful.
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