Advice

This short guide gives an overview of benefits that may be available to carers.

Carers may be entitled to help with housing costs, including Housing Benefit, Council Tax reductions and exemptions such as a spare bedroom for overnight care. Additional support may apply if you care for, or live with, someone who is severely disabled.

National Insurance Credits can help you fulfill the N.I requirements for contributory benefits, such as state retirement pension. 

Pension credit guarantee credit can be claimed if you are over state pension age and on a low income.

UC can be claimed if you are working age and on a low income. It is paid monthly. 
You must usually be aged 18 and under state pension age.

This benefit is not means-tested. You must satisfy the national insurance requirements and have limited capacity for work (LCW) or limited capacity for work-related activity (LCWRA).

You could get Carers Allowance if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits.
You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.

Attendance Allowance (AA) is a disability benefit you can claim if you become disabled after state pension age. 

Personal independence payment (PIP) is a disability benefit for adults over age 16. It has two components, a daily living component and a mobility component; you can get one or both of these.

You can get DLA for your child if they need help with personal care, or supervision to avoid danger to themselves or others, or they need help with getting around outdoors.