Benefits for carers

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General information about benefits for carers

The government provides a variety of benefits for both you and the person you care for and you should not be reluctant to claim them.

As a carer, you may be entitled to some benefits, whether you do paid work or not. The welfare benefits system is complicated and if you plan to claim benefits it is important to speak to an advice service first as your claim for benefits may affect the benefits for the person you care for.

Benefits you may be entitled to include:

• carer’s allowance
• carer’s premium
• income support
• housing benefit and council tax benefit.
• working tax credit and child tax credit.

For more information, see the directgov website or contact your local JobCentre Plus or Citizen’s Advice Bureau; details are at the end of this booklet. If you are unsure of your entitlements and you feel that you require assistance in accessing the benefits system, you can ask the customer advisors at Wiltshire Council for a benefits check: call 0300 456 0111.

• Direct.gov - caring for someone

Find out more

• Age UK – Benefits information, advice and fact sheets
• Bereavement making a will, inheritance tax and government asssistance such as Funeral Payments and Bereavement Payments from·DirectGov
• Benefit Enquiry Line 0800 88 22 00
• Carers UK benefit advice for carers
• Department of Work and Pensions website
• Enduring Power of Attorney to help others to manage their financial affairs and property when they are unable to undertake this themselves·DirectGov
• Princess Royal Trust for Carers benefits advice
• State pensions for carers and parents·Department of Work and Pensions website
• Tackling financial exclusion

Last updated: 28 March 2013