Carers could get Universal Credit payments from the DWP

Nurse: 'Carers get paid less than a paper round'

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To qualify for Carer’s Allowance, people need to provide care for someone for 35 hours a week or more. An additional £270 a month could help carers survive the cost of living crisis. Anyone who puts a new claim into the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) now should also qualify for a Christmas bonus.

One in every eight Britons care for someone else in the United Kingdom, according to Carers UK.

That’s 6.5 million people who can’t commit to as many hours at work so generally earn a lower income.

Some 500,000 of these are missing out on up to £270 a month from the DWP to help meet their living costs.

They must be caring for someone for 35 hours a week or more to qualify and not earn more than £132 a week.

Not everyone receives the same amount of Carer’s Allowance – the exact amount will depend on other benefits they are claiming.

The person who is being cared for will also need to be claiming certain benefits for the carer to qualify.

These include Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance.

Now is the time to find out if someone could make a claim for Carer’s Allowance as it could also mean a Christmas bonus worth £10.

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How to claim Carer’s Allowance:

Applicants should go online and fill out the application form at GOV.UK.

Applicants should have their National Insurance number, bank details and latest payslip to hand.

Carers are also entitled to a host of other benefits that could help them make big savings throughout the year.

A carer, childminder and mother of two told Express.co.uk how she saved £2,200 over the last year by making the most of a discount scheme offering savings for carers. 

Maxine, a mum of two, said she has been using the Discount for Carers scheme to save £200 a month on bills, shopping and travel.

Discounts for Carers is free for carers to sign up and offers savings on phone and broadband bills, food and clothes shopping and travel and holidays.

Other benefits and freebies carers could qualify for include:

  • Carer’s could get Universal Credit payments from the DWP
  • They may also be able to get help with housing payments if they are entitled to Universal Credit
  • Some Universal Credit claimants also get help towards their council tax bills
  • Check schemes like WaterSure for up to 50 percent off water bills
  • People who aren’t eligible for Carer’s Allowance might get the Carer’s Element of Universal Credit
  • Discounts on shopping and bills at discountforcarers.com
  • A cashback card for carers at discountforcarers.com
  • Days out – The National Trust and English Heritage give free entry to carers or companions of disabled visitors
    A free bus pass – people should see their local council website for details
  • The Cinema Exhibitors’ Association allows a disabled cinema customer to get a complimentary ticket for someone to go with them.

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