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Carers are entitled to Carers Allowance and could also be entitled other benefits from the government too.
The benefits system is complicated. Claiming can be difficult and time-consuming. If you are not sure whether you can claim, get advice from your local Citizens' Advice Bureau, a disability organisation, a carers' project or an Age Concern branch. Contact them through our directory
Below are the main benefits for carers and the people they look after
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Incapacity Benefit
For people who are unable to work because of illness or disability. -
Income Support / Pension Credit
For people on a low income who do not have to look for work e.g. carers or people aged 60 -
Disability Living Allowance
For disabled people under 65 who have difficulties with their personal care and / or mobility -
Attendance Allowance
For disabled people aged 65 or over who have difficulties looking after themselves -
Working Tax Credit
To claim you should usually be over 25 and work for at least 30 hours a week. -
Child Tax Credit
For people who look after a child under 16 (or under 19 in education). -
Help with health costs
People on a low income or who have certain medical conditions may be able to get help with health costs -
Social Fund
Helps people to pay for one-off costs e.g. funeral, winter fuel payments or cold weather expenses -
Housing Benefit
Helps people on a low income to pay their rent -
Jobseeker's Allowance
For people who are unemployed or work part-time and are expected to find full-time work. -
New benefit rates 2010
New rates for benefits from April 2010 -
Help with council tax
Carers may be able to reduce their council tax bill and / or claim Council Tax Benefit -
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
ESA has replaced Incapacity Benefit and Income Support for those who are not well enough to work and making a claim on or after 27th October 2008.