Certain Benefits are available for you and the person you are caring for.
Carers Allowance (CA)
To qualify you must:
Be 16 years or over
Care for at least 35 hours per week
Look after someone who gets the middle or higher rate of Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance
Earn less than a specific amount each week
Study for less then 21 hours each week
Not receive any of the following benefits at a higher rate; retirement pension, incapacity benefit/contribution based job seekers allowance/maternity allowance/severe disablement allowance/bereavement benefits
Sometimes claiming CA can affect the benefits that the person you are looking after is receiving. If they are in receipt of Income support, Pension credit, Income-based job seekers allowance, housing benefit or council tax benefit, then seek advice before you claim.
To claim CA contact the Department for Work and Pensions
Telephone 0800 882200
Or the Carers Allowance Unit, new claims department
Telephone 0845 6004254
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
This benefit is for people who first claim before the age of 65.
There are two parts to the benefit - the care component and the mobility component. The care component is paid at one of three rates and is for people who:
Cannot cook a meal
Find dressing, bathing or moving difficult
Have a terminal illness
Need someone to keep an eye on them to ensure they are safe
The Mobility component is for people who, because of their illness or disability, have difficulty walking. It is paid at one of two rates.
Claiming DLA does not reduce the amount you may receive in Income support, Pension credit, housing benefit or council tax.
To claim DLA contact the Department for Work and Pensions
Telephone 0800 882200
Attendance Allowance (AA)
This benefit is for people who first claim after their 65th birthday. It is paid at one of two rates to people who;
Have a terminal illness
Find dressing, communicating or moving around difficult
Need someone to keep an eye on them to ensure their safety
To qualify people must have had these needs for at least 6 months; however, this does not apply to people who are terminally ill.
AA is paid no matter what other income or savings you have. It can be paid in addition to most other benefits and does not reduce the amount you receive in Pension credit, Housing benefit or Council tax rebate.
To claim AA contact the Department for Work and Pensions
Telephone 0800 882200
For more information please follow the link below to the DWP website
www.dwp.gov.uk
For more advice on benefits contact your local Citizen’s advice Bureau
Provincial House, 26 Commercial Way, Woking, GU21 6EN
Telephone 0845 120 2919 Email enquiries@wokingcab.org.uk
Or visit www.wokingcab.org.uk
Surrey County Council also provide benifit checks for the over 60's. Click here for more information
