• Be habitually resident in the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands • Not be subject to immigration control (unless you’re a sponsored immigrant) • Not get Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
This year’s survey found that:
• 61% of unpaid Carers are worried about living costs and managing in the future, and over a third (35%) don’t feel confident they will be able to manage financially over the next 12 months. • 28% of Carers are cutting back on essentials like food and heating, an increase from 25% in 2022. • 28% of Carers said they have had to use credit cards, 22% have used their overdraft and 14% of Carers are in debt because of caring. • 68% of Carers have cut back on hobbies and leisure activities and 60% have reduced time spent seeing family and friends. • Over half of Carers (51%) said that their financial situation is having a negative impact on their mental health, and 61% feel stressed or anxious when they think about their financial situation. • 42% of Carers on Carer’s Allowance are struggling to make ends meet, compared to 27% of all Carers, and 19% of Carers in receipt of Universal Credit use food banks compared to 7% of all Carers. Navigating the financial systems can be daunting and being a Carer can often be a financial burden. Below you can find a range of topics illustrating the different types of financial support you might be entitled to as a Carer. You may be entitled to claim on behalf of yourself or someone you care for. There are different options available and how to understand the system and seek help. Attendance Allowance Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that you need someone to help look after you. It is paid at 2 different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care that you need because of your disability.
Rates
• Lower Rate of £72.65 a week if you require frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night. • Higher Rate of £108.55 a week to help with personal support if you’re both physically or mentally disabled and State Pension age or older. If you require help or supervision throughout both day and night, or a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live.
It does not cover mobility needs.
You could get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction if you get Attendance Allowance.
You do not have to have someone caring for you in order to claim.
To find out more: www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance or Telephone: 0800 731 0122 Textphone: 0800 731 0317
Carer’s Allowance To claim Carer’s Allowance you must care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for. You do not get paid extra if you care for more than one person. If someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance.
Eligibility
You can get Attendance Allowance if you’ve reached State Pension age and the following apply (unless you might have 12 months or less to live): • You have a physical disability (including sensory disability, for example blindness), a mental disability (including learning difficulties), or both • Your disability is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or someone to
You may be eligible for Carer’s Allowance if you, the person you care for and the type of care you provide meets certain criteria.
supervise you, for your own or someone else’s safety • You have needed that help for at least 6 months
The person you care for must already get one of these benefits:
You must also:
• Personal Independence Payment- daily living component • Disability Living Allowance- the middle or highest care rate • Attendance Allowance • Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• Be in Great Britain when you claim- there are some exceptions, such as members and family members of the armed forces • Have been in Great Britain for at least 2 of the last 3 years (this does not apply if you’re a refugee or have humanitarian protection status)
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