WELFARE RIGHTS

Carers Allowance

WHAT IS CARER’S ALLOWANCE?

Carer’s Allowance is the main benefit for carers. It is paid at £64.60 a week (2018/19 rate). You do not have to have paid National Insurance contributions to qualify for Carer’s Allowance. It is not a means tested benefit but there is a limit on how much you can earn and still be entitled to claim Carers Allowance.

Contributions-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment Support Allowance, remain unaffected by UC although are now called ‘New style JSA or ESA’.

Carer’s Allowance is taxable. However, carers will only have to pay tax if they have other sources of taxable income such as an occupational pension or earnings.

Carer’s Allowance on its own is below the threshold for paying tax.

WHO CAN CLAIM CARER’S ALLOWANCE?

You may be eligible to claim if you meet all the following conditions:

•You look after someone who gets a qualifying disability benefit such as Disability Living Allowance (middle or high rate), Personal Independence Payment (Daily Living component), Attendance Allowance or Constant Attendance Allowance

•You look after that person for at least 35 hours a week.

•You are aged 16 or over.

•You are not in full-time education.

•You earn £120 a week (after deductions) or less.

•You satisfy UK residence and presence conditions. If you meet the above conditions but already receive certain earnings replacement benefits (including State Retirement Pension), then the amount of Carer’s Allowance you are entitled to will be affected.

HOW DO I MAKE A CLAIM?

You claim Carer’s Allowance by applying to the Carer’s Allowance Unit of the Department of Work and Pensions

•Visit www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/how-toclaim if you want to apply online or download a claim form.

•Call the Carer’s Allowance Unit on 0800 731 0297 to request a claim pack

EFFECT OF CARER’S ALLOWANCE ON OTHER BENEFITS

Entitlement to Carer’s Allowance allows you to get an extra amount, called 'Carer's Premium, Addition or Element', if you qualify for certain means tested benefits. When you claim Carer’s Allowance, the person you care for will stop getting a ‘severe disability premium’ paid with their means tested benefits.

If the carer is receiving a ‘severe disability premium’ within their own means tested benefits then it would be best to seek advice from a welfare rights adviser before claiming Carer’s Allowance as this could trigger a claim to Universal Credit where the rates of benefit are less favourable.

CARERS IN SCOTLAND - CARER'S ALLOWANCE SUPPLEMENT (CAS)

Carer's Allowance Supplement is an extra payment to help carers in Scotland who get Carer's Allowance

Carer's Allowance Supplement will be paid as two payments of £221 (£442 in total per year) and the payment dates will be set by the Scottish Government. The first payment date was mid-September 2018. There is no need to apply for Carer's Allowance Supplement. You will get this automatically if you get Carer's Allowance and live in Scotland. You don't need to contact the DWP or Social Security Scotland to get this payment.

Please note: If you only have an 'underlying entitlement' to Carer's Allowance you won't qualify for Carer's Allowance Supplement.

EFFECT OF CARER'S ALLOWANCE SUPPLEMENT (CAS) ON OTHER BENEFITS

You will continue to get the same rate of Carer's Allowance from the DWP at the same time as you do now - CAS is a top up to your Carer’s Allowance CAS will not be taken into account when you are assessed for other benefits. You don't need to tell the DWP about this payment. There will be no extra Christmas Bonus paid for Carer's Allowance Supplement.

Further information on Carer’s Allowance can be found at www.gov.uk/carers-allowance

Further information on CAS can be found at www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/news/extrafinancial-support-for-carers

Jacqueline Lange Welfare Rights Adviser Digby Brown Solicitors.