Carer’s Allowance provides £83.30 weekly for unpaid carers who meet specific criteria. Additionally, carers with health conditions may qualify for up to £187.45 per week through Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
PIP is a key disability payment in England, offering varying rates from £29.20 to £187.45 per week based on the impact of a person’s health condition on their daily life.
Carers meeting PIP criteria can claim the benefit without affecting their current support. Carers UK highlighted that receiving PIP may not reduce other benefits and could potentially increase them, including qualifying for Carer’s Allowance, Council Tax, and Housing Benefit.
PIP aids in covering disability-related costs and grants access to additional support like the Blue Badge scheme. Individuals below state pension age should apply for PIP, while those over should opt for Attendance Allowance.
Recent government data shows that 1.4 million people claim Carer’s Allowance, yet 410,000 carers do not receive benefits due to interactions with other Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits.
Although one cannot receive full Carer’s Allowance and state pension concurrently, claiming the benefit establishes underlying entitlement, providing access to various support systems.
Carers should ensure they claim all entitled benefits, especially as they approach State Pension age. Carer’s Allowance not only offers financial aid and support but also provides National Insurance credits crucial for calculating the state pension amount.
A minimum of 35 qualifying years is necessary under the new state pension system to receive the full weekly amount. Each year with National Insurance credits or contributions counts as a qualifying year.
For detailed information on Carer’s Allowance and PIP, visit the Gov.uk website. You can also utilize the state pension forecast tool to track your National Insurance record status.