There are benefits that you may be entitled to if you are looking after someone - including those with sight loss. You do not have to be living with the person or related to them to claim these benefits and the age of the person you are looking after does not matter.
Carer's Allowance
Carer's Allowance is the main benefit to claim if you are caring for another person. It is not means-tested and does not depend on National Insurance contributions.
To claim Carer's Allowance you must:
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be 16 or over
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spend at least 35 hours a week looking after a person who receives one of the following benefits:
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not earn more than £100 a week after deductions
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not be in full-time education.
Important: if the person you are looking after receives a means-tested benefit and their benefit includes the severe disability premium, seek advice before claiming Carer's Allowance as their benefit may be reduced if you start getting Carer's Allowance.
How do I claim Carer's Allowance?
Call the Benefits Enquiry Line on 0800 88 22 00 to request a claim form or go to the Directgov webpage on Carer's Allowance to download or complete the form online.
Carer's Allowance can be backdated for up to three months on request.
How much Carer's Allowance will I get?
The basic rate is £55.55 a week. This is taxable. If you already receive means-tested benefits such as Income Support, you will not be financially worse off by claiming Carer's Allowance.
You may be entitled to additional amounts for your spouse or for an adult dependant who is looking after your child. However these additions may not be payable if your spouse or adult dependant has income above a certain level.
If you receive a State Retirement Pension, you may not be paid any Carer's Allowance as these benefits overlap.
Can I receive Carer's Allowance at the same time as other benefits?
You cannot normally be paid Carer's Allowance if you receive contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Incapacity Benefit, State Pension or certain bereavement benefits at the same time. However, it may still be worthwhile claiming Carer's Allowance if you get a means-tested benefit such as Income Support to establish "underlying entitlement" to Carer's Allowance.
This underlying entitlement means you may be able to get an increased amount of income-related ESA, Income Support, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit.
The increase is called the carer premium, or the "additional amount for carers" in Pension Credit. It is worth up to £31 a week.
Carer's Credit
What is Carer's Credit?
Carer's Credit was introduced on 6 April 2010 and it is a National Insurance credit paid weekly. It was introduced to help carers build up their qualifying years for the basic state pension. This means thousands more carers will be able to build up their basic state pension. Bereavement benefits for spouses and civil partners will also be protected. It is not a benefit payment.
Do I qualify?
You will qualify for Carer's Credit if:
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you care for someone for 20 or more hours a week
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the person(s) you are caring for receives the middle or higher care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or either rate of Attendance Allowance (AA) or Constant Attendance Allowance
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a Health or Social Care Professional has certified the person(s) you care for needs the level of care you provide.
How do I apply?
You can apply for the Carers Credit on the CC1 application form by contacting the Benefits Enquiry Line (BEL) on 0800 88 22 66 or the Carers Allowance Unit on 0845 608 4321. You can also download an application pack from the Directgov website.
If you receive Income Support you will not need to submit an application and your local Jobcentre Plus will notify you of your award of credits.
Further information
For more information about Carer's Allowance and Carer's Credit, download our factsheet:
If you experience difficulties claiming any of the benefits mentioned in this factsheet, disagree with a decision or want further information, please call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk. Please note that we can only give advice about benefits for people with sight loss and their carers or dependants.
You can read more of our information for carers or take a look at Directgov information on caring for someone.
This information gives general guidance only and is not an authoritative statement of the law.