People providing unpaid care urged to check eligibility for Universal Credit payment of nearly £200

Linda Howard
·4-min read

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has urged people providing unpaid care for a friend, family member or neighbour to check eligibility for means-tested benefits including Universal Credit, to help boost their finances. The nudge came after Liberal Democrat MP Angus MacDonald asked DWP about the “adequacy of Carer's Allowance in supporting unpaid carers” and whether it “plans to increase the rate of that allowance”.

In a written response to the Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire MP, Minister for Social Security and Disabilities, Sir Stephen Timms explained how people on Carer’s Allowance may be entitled to other benefits or Jobcentre support if they are providing less than 35 hours per week.

READ MORE: New call for all unpaid carers to receive £1,600 each month

READ MORE: Full list of benefits and one-off payments only people in Scotland can claim

People providing 35 hours of unpaid care each week may be entitled to Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment, which is worth £81.90 per week - some £327.60 every four-week pay period. Payments are set to rise by 1.7 per cent on April 7 to £83.30 per week, £333.20 every four-week pay period.

The weekly earnings threshold for Carer's Allowance in England and Wales will also rise from £151 to £196, equivalent to 16 hours at the National Living Wage.

Sir Stephen said: “This Government continues to protect the value of benefits paid to carers whilst also spending record amounts in real terms.

“The Secretary of State (Liz Kenall) undertakes a statutory annual review of benefit and pensions, and the value of Carer’s Allowance is protected by Up-rating it each year in line with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI).

“In addition to Carer’s Allowance, carers on low incomes can claim income-related benefits, such as Universal Credit and Pension Credit. These benefits can be paid to carers at a higher rate than those without caring responsibilities through the carer element and the additional amount for carers respectively.

"Currently, the Universal Credit carer element is £198.31 per monthly assessment period. The additional amount for a carer in Pension Credit is £45.60 a week. These additional amounts are worth around £2,400 a year.”

An online benefits calculator is the best way to find out if you or someone you know is missing out on extra financial support through benefits or help with housing costs or Council Tax. It isn't a magic wand to wave away money worries, but it can give you a fairly accurate estimate of how much you could be eligible to claim - but it's up to you to actually make the application.

The Scottish Government’s Cost of Living Support Scotland website also offers a 'one stop shop' to help households and individuals quickly check for additional financial support - find out more here.

What is an online benefits calculator?

Online benefit calculators quickly work out if you are missing out on any benefits and best of all, they are completely free, independent and confidential to use - so there’s nothing to lose.

In just a few minutes you could find out how much you may be able to claim in extra support, just by entering details about yourself, your residential status, your working status and any savings you have.

You can use an independent benefits calculator to find out:

  • What benefits you could get

  • How to claim

  • How your benefits will be affected if you start work

Where to find help

Advice Direct Scotland

  • This online tool is the first to fully integrate devolved benefits including Scottish Child Payment and Adult or Child Disability Payment. It provides a free and impartial assessment of entitlement to a range of benefits such as Universal Credit, crisis grants and support payments. Find out more here.

The benefits calculators below provide information on income-related benefits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work or change your working hours.

What you will need before you start

Gather the following information before you start and the whole process should just take about 10 minutes:

  • Savings

  • Income, including your partner’s

  • Existing benefits and pensions - including anyone living with you

  • Outgoings - such as rent, mortgage, childcare payments

  • Your latest Council Tax bill

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