Carer’s Allowance alert as payments could rise to £364 each week under new rules

10/06/2023

Carer’s Allowance currently offers £76.65 each week to those eligible, however, a new online petition is calling for unpaid carers to receive higher weekly payments of £364.

As the cost-of-living crisis continues, many people will be feeling a squeeze on their finances and have been campaigning for change.

Petition creator Alasdair Adam wants to see the benefit rate match the earnings of someone earning the National Living Wage (age 23 or over).

If the petition was successful, Carers Allowance claimants would get £364 for the 35 hours of support they give each week.

Mr Adam states ‘providing appropriate financial support is the least the Government can do”.

Currently, people claiming Carer’s Allowance receive £76.75 each week for providing 35 hours of care for a family member or friend.

Mr Adam said: “Being an unpaid carer is a full-time job, and this should be reflected in the rate of Carer’s Allowance.

“The current rate of benefit pay is almost £300 less than someone earning the National Living Wage (age 23 or over) would be entitled to.

“Many unpaid carers have to give up work to provide care, and being a carer can also have a significant impact on carers wellbeing and lifestyle. Providing appropriate financial support is the least the Government can do.”

The National Living Wage is worth £10.42 per hour for people aged over 23. Someone working 35 hours each week would receive £364.70, or £1,458.80 – before tax and National Insurance deductions. Carer’s Allowance is paid every four weeks and worth £307.

The ‘Increase Carer’s Allowance to 35 hours a week at the minimum wage’ petition is hosted on the petitions-parliament website. More than 4,100 people have signed the online petition, at 10,000, the UK Government will respond to the proposal.

The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that in May 2022 there were 936,766 people receiving weekly payments for Carer’s Allowance across Great Britain, including 81,682 living in Scotland.

Unpaid Carers in Scotland receive two additional payments each year through the Carer’s Allowance Supplement, the Daily Record reports. These are worth £270.50 and paid in June and December to those in receipt of Carer’s Allowance.

However, new claims for Carer’s Allowance made before Monday, October 9, 2023, which later turn out to be successful, will qualify for the December payment. Nobody can apply directly for the Carer’s Allowance Supplement, the money is paid automatically by the Scottish Government to those on Carer’s Allowance – new claims to DWP are currently being processed in just over 15 working days, on average.

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Am I eligible for Carer’s Allowance?

Britons may be eligible for weekly Carer’s Allowance payments of £76.75 if they, the person they care for and the type of care they provide meets certain criteria. They can choose to be paid weekly in advance or every four weeks.

They do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.

The person they care for must already get one of these benefits:

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – daily living component
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – the middle or highest care rate
Attendance Allowance
Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
Constant Attendance Allowance at the basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension
Armed Forces Independence Payment

If someone else also cares for the same person as them, only one of them can claim Carer’s Allowance.

The type of care you provide

Thye need to spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone.

This can include:

helping with washing and cooking
taking the person you care for to a doctor’s appointment
helping with household tasks, like managing bills and shopping

Eligibility

Guidance on GOV.UK states all of the following must apply:

You are 16 or over
You spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone
You have been in Scotland for at least two of the last three years (this does not apply if you’re a refugee or have humanitarian protection status)
You are not in full-time education
You are not studying for 21 hours a week or more
You are not subject to immigration control
Your earnings are £139 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses

How do I make a claim for Carer’s Allowance?

People can claim online on the Goverment website or phone the Carer’s Allowance Unit for a claim form on 0800 731 0297.

Before applying people should make sure they have their

National Insurance number (if you have a partner you’ll need theirs too)
Bank or building society details
Employment details and latest payslip if you’re working
P45 if you’ve recently finished work
Course details if you’re studying
Details of any expenses, for example pension contributions or the cost of caring for your children or the disabled person while you’re at work

Guidance on GOV.UK states people also need details of the person they care for.

They need their:

Date of birth and address
National Insurance number if they are 16 or over
Disability Living Allowance reference if they are under 16

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