Work out which benefits you might be eligible for
At KareHero, we understand how much of a financial strain the cost of funding care can be, and so, let’s take a closer look at available benefits - and see if you are eligible.
Carer’s Allowance
In 2024/25, Carer’s Allowance is £81.90 a week. You may be able to claim if you:
- Spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone
- Are aged 16 or over
- Aren’t in full-time education or studying for 21 hours a week or more
- Earn £151 (2024/25) a week or less (after tax, National Insurance and expenses)
That’s £4,258 a year.
However, the person you care for must also be receiving a benefit for their illness or disability, including:
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (the middle or higher rate of the care component)
- Personal Independence Payment (either rate of the daily living component)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment.
Unfortunately, Carer’s Allowance is taxable, but you will only pay tax if you have other sources of taxable income. In Scotland, Carer’s Allowance is being replaced by Carer Support Payment.
Carer’s Credit
Carer’s Credit is a National Insurance credit that fills up gaps in your National Insurance record.
It helps towards your State Pension while you’re not making any contributions because of your caring role.
You might be able to get Carer’s Credit if:
- You are over 16
- You do not receive State Pension
- You do not qualify for Carer’s Allowance
- You spend at least 20 hours a week caring for someone
- The person you look after gets a benefit because of their illness or disability. For example:
- Disability Living Allowance - middle or highest rate of the care component
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment daily living part
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Child Disability Payment (CDP) middle or highest rate of the care component
If the person you’re caring for doesn’t get one of these benefits, you might still be able to claim it by completing a ‘Care Certificate’.
Carer Premium
As a carer, you may be entitled to an additional Carer Premium if you already get:
- Income Support
- Universal Credit (the ‘carer element’)
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Support (Rate Relief in Northern Ireland)
- Income-related Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit (the ‘carer addition’)
Pension Credit
If you have reached State Pension age, Pension Credit is designed to top up your income in retirement. It’s made up of two parts:
- Guarantee Credit
- Savings Credit (only available if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016)
One in three people who are entitled to Pension Credit don’t claim it - which means some people miss out on hundreds of pounds a year.
However, if you live with a partner, you can only claim Pension Credit if you have both reached State Pension age.
Local welfare assistance
If you find yourself in unexpected and urgent financial need, and you are receiving certain benefits or are on a very low income, you may be able to get local welfare assistance.
Contact your local council to find out more about what help they might be able to provide.
Universal credit
Universal Credit is replacing these benefits:
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
If you’re making a new claim for means-tested benefits to help if you’re on a low income, you’ll have to claim Universal Credit.