Carers can be entitled to a variety of benefits and payments to help them in their caring role. Many Surrey carers don’t know about these, but we can help.
You may be entitled to help
Caught up in the daily care of a loved-one, many carers remain unaware that they may be entitled to benefits and other help which could make their lives easier, or even allow them to enjoy a life outside their caring role.
There are a number of welfare benefits which you may be entitled to as a carer, and the person you care for may also be entitled to benefits.
We can help
Our Carer Support Advisors are familiar with what might be appropriate for you. We can tell you more about your entitlements to benefits and the payments available, and can help with filling out forms. We can also help if you’ve been turned down for a benefit.
Please get in touch with us to find out more. Call us on 0303 040 1234 or email CarerSupport@actionforcarers.org.uk. You can also text us (SMS) on 07714 075993.
We thought my father would qualify, but my mother was too busy caring to wrestle with the forms. Having someone who knew what was relevant made all the difference.
Thank you very much for your advice re applying for a reduction in Council Tax, following your previous excellent help in completing the difficult form for Attendance Allowance. Really nice and uplifting speaking with you again.
You can read more about all the benefits, the most up-to-date amounts, and how to get further help, in Surrey Welfare Rights’ booklet ‘Welfare Benefits for Carers’.
Does the person you’re caring for receive Attendance Allowance? This is paid to people over state pension age to help with the extra costs of long-term illness or disability. You can qualify regardless of your income or savings, and it can help make life much easier. Receiving Attendance Allowance can be the key to other benefits too, so it’s a good place to start. It’s paid at a standard and higher rate, depending on the circumstances. Older carers may qualify themselves.
Universal Credit is a means-tested benefit for people on a low income who are in or out of work. It replaces Income Support, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Housing Benefit, Child and Working Tax Credits. Disability Living Allowance.
Some carers may be entitled to have their Council Tax disregarded, or reduced, depending on their situation and the needs of the person they are caring for.
With many people’s income hit by coronavirus and claiming benefits for the first time, you may not be aware that your child – whether you are their parent or guardian – could be entitled to free school meals (not to be confused with universal infant free school meals, which are available to all school children from reception to year 2).
Who is eligible?
If your child is in year 3 or above, you will typically get free school meals if you are claiming one of the main benefits, or if you earn below a certain amount.
How to apply:
Free school meals are run by the Department for Education and administered to schools via local councils. You need to register via your local council, then both you and your child’s school will be notified of your application. See the free checker to find out more.
