Help for Carers > Financial help, rights and benefits > Carers Allowance

Carers Allowance

Simpler claim form for Carers Allowance
All carers who get State Pension should now use Form DS700 (SP). This form just asks basic questions about entitlement, and there is a separate Notes booklet, which helps people to fill in the form. The form is available from the Carer's Allowance Unit or your local Pension Centre. Alternatively, download it from www.direct.gov.uk

Carers Allowance
On 1st October the government raised the earnings limit on Carer's Allowance to £95, increasing the amount carers can earn before losing this allowance. For more information log on to www.carers.org/news and scroll down to 'Rise in earnings limit on Carer's Allowance'

If you are over 16 and are caring for someone for at least 35hrs a week you may be entitled to £50.55 a week but you must be earning less than £95 a week. The person you are caring for must also be receiving an appropriate benefit, such as the 'Disability Living Allowance' or 'Attendance Allowance'. Claiming Carers Allowance ensures that the recipient earns contributions to the basic state pension because the Government sees the role of caring as a form of work. If your circumstances change, don't forget to contact the Carers Allowance Unit - Tel: 01253 856123.

It is important to check to see if you qualify.

• Not receiving full state pension? For carers receiving state pension, it is worth checking with the Pensions Service regarding possible pension credit entitlement.
• Anyone who gives up work to care for someone can claim.
• Couples' income is not counted together, so spouses or partners who give up work to look after friends or relatives can claim regardless of how much income the household receives as a whole.
• Even if you are receiving a pension you may qualify for some help. If in doubt have a chat with people who may be able to help, listed at the bottom of this page.

And if you don't qualify?

• You may still be able to get financial help. Contact the Benefit Enquiry Line for disabled people and carers - Tel: 0800 88 22 00 and ask them if there are any other benefits you are eligible for.





You can get more information from:

The Carers UK website

www.ageconcern.org.uk whose information section has a factsheet about Carers Allowance




You can claim Carers Allowance by:

• Telephoning the Benefit Enquiry Line:
  Confidential advice and information for people with disabilities, and their carers and representatives, on the full range of social security benefits available and how to claim them. The line also offers help with claim form completion for certain benefits.
  Telephone 0800 88 22 00
  Textphone 0800 24 33 55
  Form-filling service 0800 44 11 44
• Obtaining a claim pack by completing leaflet DS700 available from post offices, social security offices or your local Citizen's Advice Bureau (The Citizen's Advice Bureau - A national voluntary organisation providing free information and advice on a wide range of issues. The website contains a great deal of useful information on a huge range of topics.)
• You can also download a copy of the pack from the Dept for Works and Pensions website www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/carers_allowance.asp - Dept for Work and Pensions information on carers allowance




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