Need Social Care?

Money Matters

If you are an unpaid carer then you or the person you care for may be entitled to claim various benefits.  

This information is intended as a guide only. The criteria for gaining benefits is complicated, and filling in the forms can be difficult. If you would like free and confidential advice it might be helpful to speak to the Benefits Helpline for sick and disabled people and carers –Tel:  0800 882200 - or an adviser at your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

Attendance Allowance – this is paid to a person with a disability who is 65 or over and has care needs.  Income or savings do not affect eligibility, but help must have been needed for at least 6 months.  There are two rates of payment dependent upon the level of care required.

Blue Badge Scheme – this operates nationwide, giving parking concessions if you have severe mobility problems or are registered blind.  An information booklet and forms are available from your local Council hub.

Carers Allowance is paid to a person who:-

• is aged 16 or more when s/he claims, and
• spends at least 35 hours a week caring for a person with a disability who is getting attendance allowance or constant attendance allowance or middle or higher rate care component of disability living allowance, and
• is not earning more than a certain amount per week (the figure changes annually)

This allowance is paid at a standard rate with possible increases for dependents.  

Direct Payments – are cash payments made in lieu of social service provisions, to individuals who have been assessed as needing services.  The aim is to give more flexibility in how services are provided to many individuals who are assessed eligible for social services support. It provides people with greater choice and control over their lives, and they are able to make their own decisions about how their care is delivered.

Disability Living Allowance – financial help for people under 65 who have care or mobility needs.

Home Responsibilities Protection - (HRP) is not a benefit, but a scheme which helps you protect your basic state pension. If you do not work or your earnings are low and you are caring for someone, you may be able to get Home Responsibilities Protection.

Housing Benefit / Council Tax Benefit – help with payments for rent and council tax.  Eligibility depends on income, savings and age – contact your local council office.

Incapacity Benefit – if the person you are caring for cannot work because they are ill or disabled and they have paid National Insurance contributions, they may be able to claim.

Income support – is paid to top up other benefits and/or earnings or to provide a basic income for those who have no money coming in.  It is known as Minimum Income Guarantee for people over 60, and Disability Income Guarantee for people who are disabled.  Eligibility does, however, depend on income, savings and age.

Pension Credit - a means-tested benefit for people aged 60 or over. It has two parts - a guarantee credit and a savings credit.  Guarantee credit tops up your weekly income to a guaranteed level and savings credit is for people who have a small amount of income or savings. You may be able to claim either part of the Pension Credit separately or together, depending on your circumstances.  To find out more contact the free benefit enquiry line for people with disabilities and their carers.  Tel: 0800 882200

Working Tax Credit / Child Tax Credit – These are for people who work for 16 hours or more a week and for parents with dependent children.  The amount received will depend on income, capital and number/ages of children.  It may also be a passport to free prescriptions and other health benefits.

Winter Fuel Payment - If you're aged 60 or over these are paid automatically at 3 rates, depending on which benefits are received.

GRANTS

Community Care Grants are part of the Social Fund, and help people who are getting or are likely to get Income Support. They help people live independently in the community and ease exceptional pressure on families, covering a wide range of personal circumstances and variety of needs and expenses. They do not have to be paid back.

Possible additional benefits –

• free prescriptions and/or dental treatment
• vouchers towards cost of spectacles
• NHS hospital travel costs

For those on income support these are free.  Pensioners, under 16s, those on a low income and people who have diabetes or glaucoma may get one or more at a reduced rate.