Martin Lewis has implored over half a million Britons who are caring for someone to verify if they’re eligible for benefits that could give them an additional £81 per week.
The most recent Money Saving Expert (MSE) bulletin announced that 500,000 Brits might be qualified for Carer’s Allowance yet do not claim it. Martin referred to these people as the nation’s “unsung heroes”.
Even though he recognised the monetary aid available to them as “paltry”, he emphasised it as still “worthwhile”.
Carer’s Allowance is a benefit administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), aimed at assisting individuals who devote more than 35 hours each week to caregiving duties. Care responsibilities can encompass tasks such as assisting someone with daily tasks like washing, managing bills, or escorting them to doctor’s appointments.
The allowance’s current rate stands at £81.90 a week or £327 every four weeks – totalling over £4,200 annually.
Martin asked: “Are you one of 500,000+ providing 20hrs+ a week of care for low/no pay? Unpaid carers are the nation’s unsung heroes, looking after their loved ones, saving the NHS money, and often leading hard lives themselves because of it. As it’s Carers Week, here’s a reminder of the rather paltry, but still worthwhile, help available.”
However, it’s crucial to note that there is an earnings limit for Carer’s Allowance. This is the maximum amount you can earn while still being eligible for the benefit.
At present, this limit is set at a mere £151 per week after tax, National Insurance, pension contributions and allowable expenses. If your earnings exceed this limit – even by a mere £1 – you forfeit your entitlement to Carer’s Allowance.
Martin Lewis has previously voiced his concerns about this limit and just last month called on the Government to abolish the “cliff edge” working rule.
In a post to X, the Money Saving Expert added: “Almost all other benefits work by taper – ie earn over the limit and the benefit doesn’t immediately stop, it gradually reduces. With carer allowance, a penny over and you get nowt. This is simply stupid and should be stopped. Carers are a backbone of the UK, saving the state and NHS billions. The £82/wk allowance is pitifully low, at the very least we should end the cliffhanger so work pays.”
The MSE newsletter also highlighted that you could potentially benefit from a carer’s credit too. Carer’s credit is a National Insurance (NI) credit for individuals who provide care for at least 20 hours a week and aren’t yet at state pension age.
Carers credit can be used to fill gaps in your National Insurance record as many carers either have to quit their jobs or reduce their working hours to provide care for someone else.
Your National Insurance record determines the amount of state pension you can receive when you reach the state pension age. At present, you need 35 full years of qualifying National Insurance years to get the full new state pension, which is worth £221.20 a week.
By filling in National Insurance gaps, you could potentially increase your state pension by thousands.
