Advice and Support With Benefits
As a family carer there are several benefits you can claim some of which provide extra money to help you look after someone.
Benefits you maybe entitled to
Carers Allowance is the the main benefit for family carers. Anyone looking after someone for more than 35 hours may be eligible. You don’t have to live with person with care needs. Carer’s Allowance does count as income for tax credits and unearned income for universal credit so claiming it may affect other benefits that you receive
Carers Credit helps fill gaps in your National Insurance record. Helps you take on your caring role without affecting your State Pension. To qualify you must be over 16, under State Pension age & looking after someone for at least 20 hours a week. It you receive carers allowance you will automatically receive carers credit.
Universal Credit – Carers Element – may be available to you if you are on a low income and receiving universal credit. This is an additional payment for looking after someone and called the the carers element. Check with the universal credit team if you are eligible.
Council Tax Reduction maybe available if you are on a low income, whether working or not. To find out more, and how to claim contact your local district or borough council.
Attendance Allowance is available to over 65’s with a physical or mental disability which is severe enough for them to need help caring for themselves. The payment helps meet the cost of extra care they may need.
Disability Living Allowance for Children (DLA) helps with the extra costs of looking after a child under 16 who has difficulties walking, or needs more looking after than a child of the same age without a disability.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is available to 16 -64 year olds, PIP helps with the extra costs associated with long-term ill-health or a disability. Eligibility is determined by an assessment and will be regularly reviewed.
A Carer’s Assessment from Suffolk County Council can result in a one of payment to help you take a break from your caring role.
Organisations that can help
As the Government regularly change these benefits we always suggest you seek professional advice to ensure you receive all of the help you are entitled to. Below are organisations that can help you with this
Age UK – Free confidential welfare rights and benefit advice service including Advice and Guidance with benefit applications, help accessing knowledge and support plus practical help to maximise your income. Available to people over state retirement age. (0800 678 1602)
Contact a Family – Benefits check over the telephone for parent carers looking after disabled children. (0808 808 3555)
Macmillan Benefits Advice Service – Personal advice on your individual situation from a Macmillan benefit adviser in your area.
Money Advice Service – Set up by the Government, this offers free and impartial financial advice including; advice and guidance to help improve your finances, and tools and calculators to help you keep track and plan ahead. Support provided in person, over the phone or online. (0800 138 7777)
National Debt Line – Independent charity, dedicated to providing free debt advice by phone and online to people across the UK. Provides a free guide to taking first steps towards a fresh start with your finances. (0808 808 4000)
Shelter – Advice, support and legal services for help with housing, bad housing or homelessness throughout England.
Turn2Us – National charity providing online financial advice and support including online guides and resource & comprehensive benefit calculation tool.
CAB offer free and impartial advice on financial issues including benefit enquiries or applications and managing debt. The website for the National Association of Citizens Advice gives details of services provided and latest developments. Local branches can be found in
East Suffolk – 0808 278 7866
Mid Suffolk – 01449 67606
West Suffolk – 0808 278 7868
Ipswich – 0808 278 7868
Sudbury and District – 01787 321400
Disability Advice North East Suffolk (DANES) – Free, impartial & confidential. Provides information, advice, advocacy and representation services to all disabled people living in Lowestoft, Waveney and North Suffolk. Advice to carers and professionals to help people overcome the day-to-day problems of disability. (01502 511333)
Disability Advice Service East Suffolk – Free, independent, confidential and impartial advice for disabled people and their carers. Covers welfare benefit entitlement, help with completing forms, Blue Badge applications, support with online claim forms plus debt and money management. (01394 387070)
The Ipswich Disabled Advice Bureau – Provides advice and information about welfare benefit entitlement including Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Council Tax Reduction and Discretionary Housing Payment etc. (01473 217313)
