In this guide, we’ll take a look at whether dementia carers qualify for carer’s allowance, what exactly this benefit is, and how to apply if you meet the criteria.
Dementia carers are often the family members or close friends of the person suffering with the condition and as such, are often unpaid. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t get any support in return for the care you provide.
Contents:
- What is Carer’s Allowance?
- Who is Considered a Dementia Carer?
- Am I Eligible for Carer’s Allowance?
- How To Apply?
- Useful Resources
What is Carer’s Allowance?
Carer’s Allowance is a benefit of £69.70 a week (£3,624.40 a year)* available to people who are providing regular and unpaid carer to someone with a disability or illness, including dementia. This guide provides a more in-depth look into Carer’s Allowance, but here we’ll help you find out if you can qualify for this benefit as a dementia carer.
Who is Considered a Dementia Carer?
A dementia carer is someone who provides care for a person with dementia. This may be a paid role you are employed to do, but in many cases, the person providing care is a relative or friend.
In relation to carer’s allowance, you will be considered an unpaid dementia carer if the person you are caring for has a diagnosis of dementia and is currently claiming for attendance allowance, personal independence payments (daily living component), or disability living allowance (care component).
If you are an unpaid carer for someone with dementia, you may be eligible for a number of benefits to help make up for any loss of income you have experienced in providing care, as well as to support your daily living costs and wellbeing.
Am I Eligible for Carer’s Allowance?
You may be eligible for carer’s allowance if:
- You are over the age of 16
- You provide of 35 hours of unpaid care per week
- You’re not in full-time education
- You’re not studying for 21 hours a week or more
- Your earnings are £132 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses
In addition, the person you care for must receive one of the following benefits in addition to you meeting the criteria above:
- Personal Independence Payment
- Disability Living Allowance
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Child Disability Payment
- Adult Disability Payment
How to Apply
If you are a dementia carer and believe you may be eligible to receive Carer’s Allowance, you can make a claim via the government website here: Carer’s Allowance: Make a Claim.
What Other Benefits Might I be Eligible for?
If you discover that you are eligible for Carer’s Allowance, you may also be entitled to receive additional amounts in other benefits you may be currently receiving, including:
- Income support
- Universal credit
- Housing benefit
- Pension credit
You may also be eligible for Carer’s Credit if you provide unpaid care for more than 20 hours per week, but do not meet all the criteria for Carer’s Allowance.
Income support, Universal credit, Housing benefit or Pension credit
Carer’s Allowance for Dementia Carers: Useful Resources
To find out more about carer’s allowance and how to claim as a dementia carer, you may find the following links helpful.
* Figure correct as of 11th April 2022