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.
Where to get help and advice
Our Carer Support Advisors 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.
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’.
Welfare Benefits for Carers in Surrey
Further sources of information
Citizens Advice in Surrey can also help with benefits and payments. You can call them on 0344 411 1444 or find out more on their website.
Read more on benefits and payments on Carers UK’s website
Read more on benefits and payments on Carers Trust website.
The Money Advice Service also has information on benefits and payments for carers.
Some of the main benefits and payments are:
Carer’s Allowance
Carer’s Allowance is the main benefit for carers. If you look after someone for at least 35 hours a week, you may be eligible.
Read more about Carer’s Allowance here.
Universal Credit
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.
Full information in Surrey Welfare Rights’ booklet Welfare Benefits for Carers in Surrey.
Housing Benefit
Housing Benefit for new claimants has been replaced by Universal Credit. If you are already receiving it, your caring role can affect it.
Full information in Surrey Welfare Rights’ booklet Welfare Benefits for Carers in Surrey.
Council Tax
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.
Full information in Surrey Welfare Rights’ booklet Welfare Benefits for Carers in Surrey.
Help with travel costs
You may be entitled to help with travel costs when getting the person you care for to NHS appointments.
Full information in Surrey Welfare Rights’ booklet Welfare Benefits for Carers in Surrey.
State Retirement Pension
Carers also have rights re their State Retirement Pension.
Full information in Surrey Welfare Rights’ booklet Welfare Benefits for Carers in Surrey.
Also see Carer’s UK’s webpage on pensions.
NHS Health costs
You may also be entitled to help with NHS health costs, eg prescriptions or eye tests. You can see more on Carers UK’s website.