Benefits for carers

If you are a carer over 60 you could be entitled to several benefits depending on your circumstances, as follows.

If you are in paid work

• Working Tax Credit.

Benefits if you are not in paid employment

These benefits are known as “earnings replacement benefits”. You cannot usually receive more than one of these at the same time because of the overlapping benefits rules.

• The state pension. The state pension age for men is 65. Between 2010 and 2020, the state pension age for women will move gradually from 60 to 65. You can check your retirement age on Directgov.
• Carer’s Allowance: in most cases you will not be able to receive Carer’s Allowance once you receive your state pension. However, you will still have an “underlying entitlement” to it, and this can help you to qualify for more means-tested other benefits.

Benefits if you are disabled

• Disability Living Allowance if you are under 65 when you first claim, or
• Attendance Allowance if you are 65 or over when you first claim.

Benefits if you care for children

• Child Benefit,
• Child Tax Credit, or
• Guardian’s Allowance.

Benefits to top up your income if it is low

These are called “means-tested benefits” because they will depend on your income and savings and include:

• Pension Credit This has two parts: the guarantee credit and the savings credit. The guarantee credit is paid to people who have reached the qualifying age and tops up their income. Between 2010 and 2020, the qualifying age for guarantee credit will move gradually from 60 to 65. You can check your qualifying age on Directgov. The savings credit is paid to people of 65 and over and rewards them for having some savings. Pension credit can also help with paying the interest part of your mortgage.
• Housing benefit (to help pay rent).
• Council tax benefit (to help pay council tax).

If you receive means-tested benefits you may be able to access certain other types of help such as free prescriptions and Social Fund loans or grants. For more information see Means-tested benefits – introduction.

Winter Fuel Payment

The Winter Fuel Payment is to help you pay your fuel bill during the winter. To find out if you are eligible, check the criteria on the Directgov website or contact the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0845 915 1515.

Example

Harry and his wife Esther are both in their 70s. Harry is severely disabled and they live in their own property on which there is an outstanding mortgage. They have small work (occupational) pensions and low savings. They may be entitled to the following benefits:

• the state pension (Harry),
• the state pension (Esther),
• Attendance Allowance (Harry),
• Pension Credit (this could include a carer's premium if Esther makes a claim for Carer’s Allowance. Pension Credit could also include a payment to help pay mortgage interest), and
• Council Tax Benefit.