As a carer, there is a wide range of financial support available to you. Guardian Carers are here to help you search for the perfect placement that will meet the eligibility criteria needed to apply for these claims.

The main financial benefit you could claim for is Carer’s Allowance, which is a taxable benefit eligible to you if you care for a disabled person for 35 hours or more each week. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you look after. The Carer’s Allowance consists of £66.15 a week in 2019/2020, however the payment would not be increased if you are caring for more than one person. This benefit does not depend on the level of your savings or income you or your partner may have, or if you have paid any National Insurance contributions (NIC). In addition, if you are claiming Carer’s Allowance, you will also receive a Christmas Bonus. This tax-free bonus will be given to you just before Christmas at the end of each year in the amount of £10. However, it is important to take into consideration that you will only receive a Carer’s Allowance Christmas Bonus if you are not getting a Christmas Bonus with another benefit.

There is a certain criteria needed for a carer to be eligible to apply for Carer’s Allowance:

• You have to be based in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years
• You could claim for Carer’s Allowance if you work more than 35 hours caring for a disabled person.
• You need to be aged 16 or over when you qualify for Carer’s Allowance
• Your income is less than £123 a week after tax, national insurance and expenses
• You are not in full-time education or studying more than 21 hours a week
• You are not subject to immigration control (although there could be some exceptions to this)

It is highly important to take into consideration of whether the person you care for has the criteria to enable you to claim Carer’s Allowance. They must already be claiming at least one of the following:

• Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit