Carers Benefits

Benefits and Support for Carers

If you care for someone with a disability, illness, or age-related needs, you may be eligible for practical help and/or financial support.

You’re probably a carer if you do things like help someone with daily living tasks, you aren’t paid and you spend significant time caring for the person. You do not need to live with the person you’re caring for.

Carers Assessment

Kent County Council might be able to arrange practical help to support you.  To do this, you'll need ask them to carry out a carer's assessment by calling them on 03000 41 61 61 or by filling in a form on the KCC website.   This assessment looks at how caring affects your life, health, and work, and how you can be supported to carry on doing the things that are important to you and your family.

Help with finances

If you are caring for someone, you may be eligible to claim certain benefits;

Carers Allowance – you may be able to claim this benefit if the person you care for is in receipt of a qualifying disability benefit and you meet the eligibility criteria.

Carers Credit – if you aren’t eligible for Carers Allowance if you care for at least 20 hours a week, you might be able to get Carer's Credits. These are credits that fill in gaps in your National Insurance record.

Carers Element – if you are in receipt of Universal Credit, you may be able to have an extra amount added to your claim if you are caring for someone.

Carers Premium or Addition – if you’re caring for someone you may be able to have this added to your claim for Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support/Reduction.

You can find out more about the above benefits on the gov.uk website or by contacting us at PWCAC.

Help from your employer

If you are an employee with caring responsibilities, you have certain legal rights. These include the right to ask for flexible working as well as the right to take time off in emergencies related to your caring responsibilities.

Some workplaces have policies that might give you more support or time off.   You should check with your employer or HR department to find out more.

Help for the person you’re caring for

Ensuring the person you’re caring for gets all the social care and support they’re entitled to could make your role as a carer easier.  You can request a care needs assessment for the person you care for from Kent County Council.  Call 03000 41 61 61 or complete the online form on their website. 

Depending on the person’s situation they may also need to:

• claim benefits

• arrange for you to look after their affairs, for example through power of attorney

• complain about the social care and support services they've received

PWCAC can also offer support with accessing benefits and support for carers and those you care for. 

We are OPEN for face-to-face advice (appointments and drop-ins) Monday to Friday, 9:30 – 1:30. If you need advice about welfare benefits, housing and homelessness, debt, relationship breakdown, consumer issues or anything else, get in touch:  

info@pwadvice.org | 01892 838619 | www.pwadvice.org  | 94 Commercial Road, Paddock Wood, TN12 6DP