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Carer's Allowance - caring for a child with a disability
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Updated 06/04/08
If you are caring for a child with a disability, you may find that there is some financial help available to you through claiming Carer's Allowance.
How much could I receive?
You could claim £50.55 per week, but it can also entitle you to extra premiums for other benefits you may be claiming, such as Income Support, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit.
How do I qualify?
You can claim Carer's Allowance if: - the person you care for receives the higher or middle rate care component of Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance;
- you spend 35 hours a week or more caring for the person;
- you are not in full-time education;
- You earn less than £95 a week;
- you are aged over 16.
Why should you claim Carer's Allowance when you are on Income Support? - This should mean you get a higher amount of Income Support, as a Carer's Premium will be added.
- Although your Income Support will be reduced by the amount of Carer's Allowance (£50.55 a week), you will be £27.75 a week better off altogether, as the Carer's Premium will be added on to your Income support.
Why should you claim Carer's Allowance when you are on Incapacity Benefit?
It is worth applying even though you won't actually get it, to get an 'underlying entitlement'. This means that you can be entitled to extra Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Income Support in the form of the Carer's Premium.
What other reasons are there for claiming Carer's Allowance? - If you get Carer's Allowance, you automatically get a Class 1 National Insurance credit each week - useful if you ever need to claim Incapacity Benefit or Retirement Pension.
- You can get a Carer's Premium included in your Housing and Council Tax Benefit calculations.
- It is non-means-tested, which means any savings you may have won't affect the amount.
Note: This information applies only if you are caring for a child with a disability. If the person you are caring for is an adult, you will need to seek advice. You could contact your local Citizen's Advice Bureau, the Disability Alliance Rights Line on 020 7247 8763 (Monday and Wednesday 2-4pm), Gingerbread on 0800 018 4318 or the Lone Parent Helpline on 0800 018 5026 for further information.
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