The benefits that you will be able to get will depend upon your individual circumstances. Listed below are some of the main benefits that you may be able to get.
Housing and Council Tax Benefit
Carers Allowance
Paid to carers who are looking after someone who gets either Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance at the middle or higher rate of the care component. The carer must be looking after the person for at least 35 hours per week, although this can include time spent keeping an eye on the person.
Cannot be paid if the carer works and earns over a certain amount but check out the current limit for this.
May also not be paid if the carer is in receipt of certain other benefits where the two benefits cannot be paid together and only the highest one is paid.
Carers Allowance gives the carer a national insurance credit. It can lead to a higher rate of means tested benefits being paid if the carer is claiming these because of the inclusion of an extra carer’s amount in the benefit calculation.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) - Caring for others
Income Support
Paid to people under the age of 60, who are carers and either receive carers allowance or are looking after someone who receives Attendance Allowance or the middle or higher rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance. If you are waiting for this claim to be decided you can still claim Income Support. The benefit is means tested and will be affected by most income that you or your partner have coming in.
Cannot be paid if you work 16 hours or more per week and/or your partner works 24 hours or more.
Cannot be paid if you have savings over £16,000.
Income Support can help with mortgage payments.
JobCentrePlus - Working Age Benefits
Pension Credit
Paid to people who are 60 or over. Means Tested benefit and affected by most income that you have coming in but there is no maximum level on the amount of savings that you can have. There are two parts to the Pension Credit, guarantee credit and savings credit. Savings credit rewards people who have some savings or have extra pension. Carers who have an entitlement to the Carers Allowance even if it is not actually paid to them (for example due to the amount of their retirement pension) get a higher rate of pension credit.
The Pension Service - Pension Benefits information
Housing and Council Tax Benefit
Paid if you are responsible for rent and /or council tax and you are on a low income. It is a means tested benefit and cannot be claimed if you have savings over £16,000. There are special rules if you are 60 or over- (link to section Benefits if you are 60 or over) This benefit is claimed from the Local Authority. Check if you qualify for the 25% discount on council tax if you are living alone. Some people may qualify for a discount because they meet the rules due to ‘severe mental impairment’ or are eligible to get a banding reduction on their council tax because of adaptations to their home for a disabled person living there. There is also another type of council tax benefit called second adult rebate if someone else shares the household and is on a very low income.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) - Housing Benefit
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) - Council Tax Benefit
Council Tax
Tax Credits
Working Tax Credit can be paid if you are working at least 16 hours per week and have children or an illness or disability or are working at least 30 hours per week and are 25 or over. There are special rules if you are 50 or over. Child Tax Credit can be claimed if you have at least one dependant child. Tax Credits are means tested and are paid by HM Revenue & Customs.
Tax credits - HM Revenues & Customs
Health Benefits
These can be claimed if you are on a low income and need help with prescription costs, dental or opticians fees, travelling to hospital or surgical aids and appliances.
JobCentrePlus - Working Age Benefits
The benefits and tax credits that you may be able to apply for will depend upon your circumstances. If you are not sure about anything you should always seek advice. You can call us on our public helpline number 020 8583 5016
For Further information please refer to:
Welfare, Benefits and Debt