Welfare benefits
Here you’ll find information about some of the common welfare benefits that may be available to you. If you’d like to explore a further range of self help tools for welfare benefits, please visit our self help pages here
Carer’s Allowance
As a carer you may be entitled to the Carer’s Allowance if you meet certain criteria. The Carer’s Allowance is not means-tested, so any savings you and your partner have will not affect your entitlement to the allowance.
When you reach state retirement age, entitlement to Carer’s Allowance becomes rather more complicated and many carers find that, where they were previously eligible to be paid Carer’s Allowance, they no longer are.
Am I eligible for the Carer’s Allowance?
The government website has up-to-date information on eligibility criteria for the Carer’s Allowance:
https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/eligibility
How do I claim Carer’s Allowance?
Please use the link below to apply online via the government website:
https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/how-to-claim
Personal Independence Payment
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit paid to a disabled person, or someone with a long-term illness or health condition.
Anyone who receives PIP can choose how they spend their payment.
The payment is not means-tested and the amount you receive is determined by how your condition affects you, not by the condition itself. The PIP is made up of two sections daily living and mobility: standard and enhanced. You can find more detailed information about PIP and how to claim the payment at:
Attendance Allowance
Attendance allowance (AA) is a benefit for people aged over 66 who are disabled or have a long-term health condition and have care needs as a result of this.
There are two rates of Attendance Allowance. The lower rate is paid to people who need help either during the day or night and the higher rate is for people who need help both during the day and at night. People with a terminal illness (and who meet the definition of terminal illness under AA rules) will get the higher rate.
Attendance Allowance can be spent in whichever way the claimant chooses and is there to help with the extra costs of living with a long-term health condition or disability.
For more information on the Attendance Allowance, including how to apply, follow the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance
Benefits checkers to look into better- off options and benefits entitlement: