Claiming Carer’s Allowance and other benefits can be complicated. The government estimates £16 billion in benefits goes unclaimed every year* - so not everyone is getting the support they are entitled to.
See our tips, below, on where to find help claiming Carer’s Allowance and other benefits - and some online benefits calculators. There are plenty more sources of information out there, but these are some good places to start.
If you’re not in paid work and are looking after someone at home then you may be entitled to Carer’s Allowance and other benefits.
However, everyone's circumstances are different. If you claim one benefit you may lose another, rules in England and Wales don’t always match those in Northern Ireland and Scotland and benefit rates can always change.
So, when it comes to claiming Carer’s Allowance and other carer’s benefits it can be useful to get some help.
Several organisations offer help and support for carers on claiming Carers’ Allowance and other carer’s benefits.
Citizens Advice gives detailed advice for people living in different parts of the UK on benefits and other financial issues.
Carers Direct is a national website and helpline for carers managed by the Department of Health and the NHS website NHS Choices. It includes information on financial and legal issues concerning being a carer.
Government website Directgov has sections on money, tax and benefits for people who are caring for someone.
Charity Age UK aims to increase awareness of benefits and personal entitlements and you can download a Carer’s Allowance factsheet from their website.
Independent Age is a charity offering advice and support and has a downloadable guide for carers.
Turn2us helps people in financial need to claim benefits and grants.
AdviceUK is the UK's largest support network of free, independent advice centres.
Specialist advisers can help with filling in Carers’ Allowance forms and other benefits applications.
Carers UK provides an advice service and their help line may be able to put you in touch with an adviser. The Carers Trust has Carers' Centres around the country providing local, community-based advice and support.
You can get an idea of your carers’ benefits entitlement by using an online benefits calculator.
* DWP: Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up in 2007-08
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