Carers Allowance

To qualify for this benefit, you need to spend at least 35 hours per week caring for a person who receives either:

Disability Living Allowance middle or higher rate care component
Attendance Allowance at either rate
Consultant Attendance Allowance paid with Industrial Injuries/War Pension Schemes

and

you are 16 years and over
not in full time education
your earnings do not exceed £100pw
you must also satisfy the UK residence and presence test

CA is currently payable at £55.55pw (from April 2011) and you can also receive a national insurance credit which helps towards your state pension entitlement. It is not means tested but is taxable.

To claim, you need to complete the claim for DS700 or DS700(SP) for this people over pension age. You can also ask for your claim to be backdated up to 3 months but check first as it may have direct impact on other benefits.

Please check is claiming CA will directly affext the benefit of the person that you are caring for: An example is someone living alone and in receipt of a severe disability premium, on a means tested benefit, will lose this element is you claim and are paid CA. The person you care for will not lose their severe disability premium if you are entitled to CA but can not be paid it because you receive another overlapping benefit.

If you require further information or help to complete the claim form, please call our Benefit Advisor, Ruth Broad on 01872 266711 or email her at rbroad@cornwallblind.org.uk

Further information can be obtained via the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 882200 or the website www.directgov.uk/carers-ca