Financial support for carers

Carer’s allowance is a taxable benefit for people aged 16 or over whom spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone. The person they care for must be receiving disability living allowance at the middle or highest rate of the care component, or attendance allowance.

Carers may have access to the following benefits –

• Council tax and housing benefit
• Council tax - the carer's discount

You may be entitled to a reduction in your council tax bill if you look after someone who:

• Receives the higher or middle rate of the Care Component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or receives Attendance Allowance
• Is cared for by you for a minimum of 35 hours per week*
• Is not your spouse or partner
• Is over 18
• Lives with you

Attendance Allowance - Paid to people who are over 65 and have health problems and care needs.
Personal Independent Payment - Paid to people disabled before the age of 65.
Other means-tested benefits include -

• Income Support
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Benefit
• Pension Credit

A carer's premium is included in these benefits for people who are entitled to Carer's Allowance. This includes people who would be paid Carer's Allowance but do not get paid because of the overlapping benefit rule.

To find out more about benefits, please take a look at our Welfare and benefits pages.