Carers Allowance (CA) is for people who regularly spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a severely disabled person. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the disabled person. CA can be backdated for up to 3 months.
CA is not means tested and does not depend on past national insurance (NI) contributions, but it is taxable. CA gives you Class 1 NI contribution credits and helps you qualify for additional state pension.
You can get CA, even if you have never worked, or if you also get Attendance Allowance (AA) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA). You can claim CA even if you have never worked. You can claim CA if you also get Attendance Allowance (AA) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) BUT you must be caring for another person who gets AA or DLA care component at the middle or highest rate.
| Rate | Weekly amount |
|---|---|
| Exceptional rate | £105.40 |
| Intermediate rate | £79.05 |
| Normal maximum rate | £52.70 |
| Part-time rate | £26.35 |
They may lose the severe Disability Premium part of these benefits.
For carers of kidney patients the 35 hours includes not only the time helping with dialysis, but all other times when you have to be available to help a patient. This could be help with getting dressed; getting into and out of bed; being available when the patient is not well enough to be left alone.
The amount payable is £48.65 a week. However, this should only be used as a guide. The rules for benefits means that your individual circumstances may affect the amount you get.
Claim on form DS700. You can get this, and a free stamped envelope, from a Jobcentre Plus office or by ringing the free Benefits Enquiry Line on 0800 882200 or 0800 220674 in Northern Ireland . If you have access to the internet you can claim online at.
https://esd.dwp.gov.uk/dwpca/index.jsp
Take care if you claim online, check your answers very carefully and print the document before submitting the application.
Because of the overlapping status of the benefit you might not be better off in terms of income but even if you are entitled to it but can’t be paid it because of other benefits, you still might get some of the following:-
The Carer Premium is an extra sum of money (currently £27.15 per week) which is paid to a carer getting Income Support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, housing benefit and/or council tax benefit.
This benefit is paid to carers getting Care Allowance, or who qualify for Care Allowance but do not get it due to receiving one of the overlapping benefits. Carers Premium is used in calculating Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit; in many cases this will also increase the value of the benefit.
Carers UK provide information and support to carers. They have a range of information leaflets and booklets available. For a carers information pack send a large stamped addressed envelope to:
Carers UK, 20-25 Glasshouse Yard, London, EC1A 4JT
For advice, call their helpline on 0808 808 777 or visit their website www.carersonline.org.uk.
The National Kidney Federation cannot accept responsibility for information provided. The above is for guidance only.
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Last updated: 6 December 2007
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