Carers Credit is a National Insurance Credit for working age people who are looking after one or more disabled people for a total of 20 hours or more each week. This credit is not a cash benefit. It is a credit that will help carers to protect their future State Pension entitlement when they are not working or when their earnings are low. To be eligible for the Carers Credit, the person or people being cared for must either, be receiving an appropriate disability benefit or a certificate must be supplied which has been certified by a Health or Social Care professional and confirms the level of care that is provided is required.
Carers Credit cannot be awarded to a carer under the age of 16 years of age, or for any periods after they reach State Pension age. Carers Credit will not affect any benefits that are received by the carer, or the person being cared for. Anyone already in receipt of Carers Allowance or Income Support on the basis that they are substantially engaged in caring, does not need to apply for Carers Credit as they will be given credits automatically. If you do need to make an application, forms can be downloaded here.
For more information contact the Carers Allowance Unit on 0800 731 0297, textphone 0800 731 0317 or visit www.gov.uk
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Whilst all the information given in this document was correct at the time of going to press, DIAL Doncaster cannot be held responsible for any subsequent changes.
