Benefit Advice
A range of benefits may be available to help carers, depending on your personal circumstances. Below is some information about the range of benefits that may apply to your situation. However, the rules for state benefits are complex and ever-changing, and it is important to check the latest situation with us at CLASP, or with specialist benefits workers.
Carers Allowance
This is payable to carers of someone receiving the Middle or Higher rate of the Care Component of Disability Living Allowance, or to carers of someone receiving Attendance Allowance. Carers must be:
-
aged between 16-65
-
Out of full-time education
-
If working, earning less than £95 a week net
Carers Allowance is paid at £48.65 weekly.
Disability Living Allowance
This benefit is paid to disabled people aged under 65 who need additional help to look after themselves - e.g. with dressing, washing, etc. In order to claim you must:
-
be under 65 on the day you claim
-
have needed the help for at least 3 months and
-
be expected to need this help for at least 6 months ahead
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is paid at various rates depending on the assessed need, An element of DLA is also paid where the person (who must be 3 or over) is unable, or virtually unable, to walk due to their disability. A lower rate is paid where the person needs support to go out of the house.
Attendance Allowance
Is a similar benefit to Disability Living Allowance. The main differences are that:
-
The disabled person must be 65 or over
-
They must have needed the help for at least 6 months instead of 3
-
There is no Mobility Component for Attendance Allowance
For more information about benefits please contact CLASP on 0116 2510999 or click here. If you want to download more information about benefits, we suggest you visit http://www.carersuk.org/Information/Financialhelp for more information
Click respite care to access the directory