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Carers Credit

Carers’ pensions have changed

If you have given up work or reduced your hours to care for somebody, your entitlement to the basic State Pension may change. If you are not receiving Carer’s Allowance, you may, instead, be entitled to the new Carer’s Credit.

This new benefit covers the following situations:

If you care for 20 hours or more but less than the 35 hours required for Carer’s Allowance;

You look after someone who cannot, or chooses not, to claim disability benefits;

More than one carer is looking after a cared-for person but someone else is receiving Carer’s Allowance for the person;

If you look after several people but cannot claim Carer’s Allowance;

If you provide a lot of care for someone who has gone into hospital or a care home but cannot get Carer’s Allowance because the cared-for person does not receive disability benefits because they have gone into hospital or a care home;

If you are claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance but may not be getting credits towards your State Second Pension.

If you think you might be eligible for the Carer’s Credit, contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit on 0845 608 4321

You can get more information from:

www.direct.gov.uk/pensions

www.direct.gov.uk/carers