Some state pensioners are eligible for an extra £48.15 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The money is available if you care for an unwell spouse or family member.
The Carer Premium, a weekly financial top-up of £48.15, is designed to boost the income of low-income pensioners who look after someone else. This extra weekly amount adds up to around £2,500 in additional support over the course of a year. In order to qualify, you must be eligible for Pension Credit and get Carer’s Allowance.
The DWP said: “You could get an extra £48.15 a week if you get Carer’s Allowance, or you get Carer Support Payment, or you’ve claimed Carer’s Allowance but are not being paid because you already get another benefit paying a higher amount.
“If you and your partner have both claimed or are getting Carer’s Allowance, you can both get this extra amount. You could get an extra amount for each child or young person you’re responsible for who lives with you.
“You’ll get £69.98 a week for each child or young person. This is increased to £81.07 a week for the first child if they were born before 6 April 2017.”
You will receive the extra money until August 31 after their 16th birthday or 19th birthday if they’re in education or training, including studying for GCSEs, A levels, BTECs, Scottish Highers and SVQs or NVQs up to level 3. If they’re in education, it must be for more than 12 hours a week on average.
If you claim one of the following benefits, you may be able to get a Carer Premium worth £48.15 per week:
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income Support
- Council Tax Support/Reduction
- Housing Benefit
- Guarantee Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
You also need to be entitled to Carer’s allowance. You don’t actually need to be receiving it, but you must meet the eligibility criteria.