Looking after someone 2017, England | Page 22

Carer’s Allowance If you’re looking after a family member or friend, you may be entitled to Carer’s Allowance. 22 You may be eligible for Carer’s Allowance if you meet all of the following conditions: • you look after someone who gets a qualifying disability benefit - this includes the middle or the higher rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), either rate of the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), either rate of Attendance Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance (at a certain level) and Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) • you look after that person for at least 35 hours a week • you are aged 16 or over • you are not in full-time education called the ‘underlying entitlement’ to Carer’s Allowance, even though you won’t be paid the benefit itself. This is because this ‘underlying entitlement’ to Carer’s Allowance can help to increase any meanstested benefits you might be getting (such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction), or it could mean that you become entitled to meanstested benefits for the first time. • you don’t earn over £110 a week (after deductions) Claiming Carer’s Allowance never reduces the amount of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance or State Pension that the person you are looking after gets. However it can sometimes affect any meanstested benefits they get. • you satisfy UK presence and residence conditions If you are getting certain other benefits, including a State Pension, then you might not be able to be paid Carer’s Allowance at the same time. However, it might still be useful to make a claim and receive what is Looking after someone Claiming Carer’s Allowance can sometimes have an impact on other benefits you receive, but this shouldn’t put you off thinking about making a claim, as it can often increase your household income overall. Find out more at carersuk.org/carersallowance carersuk.org