62,000 more carers are unlocking £4,258 per year – | European Markets

Hundreds more carers are claiming financial assist from the Division for Work and Pensions (DWP) year-on-year.

New figures show that, as of August 2024, 1.4 million carers had been claiming the Carer’s Allowance benefit. This represents a 5% increase – an further 62,000 carers – in comparison with the earlier yr.

It’s estimated that 10 million “unpaid” carers reside within the UK general, probably as a result of they’re unaware they will declare assist.

What’s Carer’s Allowance?

Carer’s Allowance is the principle benefit paid by the DWP to eligible people who’re caring for or serving to to look after a liked one, buddy or relative. Cash is transferred instantly into people’ bank accounts, totalling up to £4,258 yearly. Funds will be acquired weekly or month-to-month, with the weekly fee set at £81.90.

Individuals caring for more than one individual can solely declare Carer’s Allowance as soon as.

Who’s eligible for Carer’s Allowance?

To be eligible for Carer’s Allowance in England, Scotland and Wales, people should meet a quantity of necessities – one of which has modified following bulletins made during the Authorities’s finances.

Individuals have to be:

• Offering take care of more than 35 hours per week
• Incomes much less than £181 a week. Previous to the finances, the higher earnings restrict was £151 a week
• Caring for somebody who’s in receipt of qualifying advantages (reminiscent of Attendance Allowance, the every day dwelling element of Private Independence, or the care element of the Incapacity Living Allowance).

You do not have to reside with the individual you take care of to be eligible for Carer’s Allowance.

Suzanne Bourne, head of carer assist at Mobilise, the UK’s largest group of unpaid carers, identified that it’s “especially important” to bear in mind of precisely how a lot you earn per week.

She mentioned: “This earnings ‘threshold’ is where the recent issues have come from. Currently, it’s up to the individual to check they are not exceeding this limit to avoid having to repay any overpayments. Although there are plans to automatically alert people at risk of falling into this trap, this is not yet the case.”

Meaning in case you earn £181 (and even a penny over) during a single week, you have to let the DWP know right away.

The best way to test in case you’re eligible

When you’re not sure whether or not you meet the standards for Carer’s Allowance, you’ll be able to test in case you’re eligible utilizing Mobilise’s free declare checker software. It takes much less than three minutes to finish.

The best way to apply for Carer’s Allowance

Those that could also be eligible for Carer’s Allowance can apply through the Authorities’s web site.

Nevertheless, it needs to be famous that receiving Carers’ Allowance could have an effect on some other advantages the claimant receives or the advantages of the individual you look after.

Ms Bourne added: “It’s important to be aware and ask for advice if you are concerned. It is always worth checking these details before you apply for Carer’s Allowance or speaking to Citizens Advice to get some additional guidance.”

What further assist is out there?

There are a quantity of different kinds of financial assist on offer for many who look after family members.

Ms Bourne mentioned: Some of these advantages will be claimed as an alternative of Carer’s Allowance, for these not eligible, and a few will be claimed as well as.”

These advantages embody:

• Carer’s Credit score: Anybody who gives 20 hours of unpaid care a week is eligible for this Nationwide Insurance credit, which helps people qualify for state pensions later on. Examine whether or not you’re eligible utilizing this credit checker software
• Carer’s Ingredient: When you’re on a low income and receiving Common Credit score, you could be entitled to an further £185.86 a month. The Common Credit score staff can advise you on this
• Carer’s Evaluation (or Carer’s Assist Plan for these in Scotland): By requesting a Carer’s Evaluation out of your native council, you could find out in case you’re eligible for any further, one-off, direct funds to help you handle the affect of caregiving. Discover out more right here
• Pension Credit score: The Carer Addition (or ‘Carer Premium’) – When you’re aged 65 or over and on a low income, you may additionally be entitled to credit which is separate out of your State Pension to help with dwelling prices. Discover out more through the federal government’s web site
• Grants from native councils: Grants to help with caring prices may also be made by councils. Examine what assist is out there to you utilizing this grant search software
• Council tax reductions: When you’re on a low income and claiming a benefit, you could be eligible for lowered council tax. Apply through the authorities’s web site
• Heating advantages: It’s additionally value checking in case you’re eligible for the Heat House Low cost, Winter Gas Cost, or the Chilly Climate Cost. Discover out more right here
• Reductions: There are a quantity of reductions out there solely to people who look after family members, together with discounted practice tickets, days out (see a listing of sights that apply right here), and even free cinema tickets (with a CEA card)