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If you are in receipt of the basic State Pension you usually cannot be paid Carer’s Allowance. The exception to this is if your basic State Pension is less than Carer’s Allowance. In these circumstances your basic State Pension will be topped up to the level of Carer’s Allowance if you claim it – so it may still be worth making a claim. Even if your basic State Pension is more than the level of Carer’s Allowance, it may still be worth making a claim. Even though you will not receive Carer's Allowance itself you may end up better off:
If you are already getting an income-related benefit (otherwise known as a means tested benefit), such as Pension Credit, you may be paid more of it. If you are not getting an income-related benefit, you may now be entitled to one. Even if you were recently refused an income-related benefit it may be worthwhile checking if you would be entitled once you have claimed Carer’s Allowance.
The income-related benefits that you may be eligible for include:
Pension Credit
Pension Credit is a benefit for people aged 60 or over on a low income. It is split into two parts; Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.
- Guarantee Credit can be claimed by people aged 60 or over. If you are under 60, but your partner is over 60, your partner can claim it for both of you. The Guarantee Credit is income-related, so your income and savings will affect the amount you get.
- Savings Credit rewards people who have a second pension or modest savings. It is paid to you if you are 65 or over, but your income and savings will affect the amount you get.
To find out if you are entitled and how much you could get, phone The Pension Service on 0800 99 1234 (Textphone: 0800 169 0133) or go to www.direct.gov.uk/pensions. Claims can be completed for you over the phone, they will then be sent out for you to check and sign. In Northern Ireland phone The Pension Service on 0808 100 6165 (Textphone: 0808 100 1165).
Housing Benefit
This benefit is claimed from your local authority and helps you to pay your rent. Your income and savings will affect the amount you get.
Council Tax benefit
This benefit is claimed from your local authority and helps you to pay your council tax. Your income and savings will affect the amount you get.
Other financial support and more information for all carers
- Carers UK. Looking after Someone, our complete guide to carers’ rights and benefits, or speak to an advisor for a full benefits check by ringing Carers UK’s helpline on 0808 808 7777.
- Age Concern has a huge amount of information on financial support for older people. Call their free helpline on 0800 00 99 66 or visit www.ageconcern.org.uk/AgeConcern/income_pensions_information.asp
- The Pensions Advisory Service is an independent non-profit organisation that provides free information, advice and guidance on the whole spectrum of pensions, including state, company, personal and stakeholder schemes. Call 0845 601 2923 or visit www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk
- Directgov is an excellent online source of information on benefits and pensions www.direct.gov.uk/pensions and Carers Direct also provides information carers’ pensions and other aspects of caring, www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect