Latest news with #CarersAllowance
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
Warning for families on benefits going away during the summer holidays – how to avoid your pay being stopped
FAMILIES on benefits going on holiday this summer have been issued a warning over a mistake which could see payments stopped. If you're on Carer's Allowance and heading abroad for longer than four weeks you need to report it as it could affect your entitlement. 1 If you don't, your payments may be reduced or stopped. You could also be slapped with a £50 penalty on top of having to pay back any of the benefit you've been overpaid. If you are found to have deliberately not reported a change in circumstances, you may even land yourself an up to £5,000 fine. The rules explained You need to report the following changes in circumstances if you're claiming Carer's Allowance: you change, start or leave your job you start earning more than £196 a week you stop being a carer you stop providing at least 35 hours of care a week you take a holiday or go into hospital - even if you arrange care while you're away the person you care for goes into hospital, into a care home or takes a holiday When it comes to reporting taking a holiday, you only need to report if you are going away for more than four weeks. You need to report a change in circumstances to the Carer's Allowance service. You can do this via the government's website - It should take around 10 minutes. You'll need your National Insurance (NI) number, details of the person you're caring for and details of your change in circumstances to hand. You can also report going abroad to the DWP Carers Allowance Unit via telephone or post. Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence The number to call is 0800 731 0297 or you can write to Freepost DWP Carers Allowance Unit. What is Carer's Allowance? Carer's Allowance is the main benefit for carers in the UK and is worth £83.30 a week. You have to meet a number of criteria to be classed eligible. The following must apply: you look after someone for at least 35 hours a week you don't earn more than £196 per week after deductions (tax, NI and expenses such as pension contributions) the person you care for receives a disability benefit (see below) you're aged 16 or over you're not in full-time education you are a UK resident The main disability benefits someone is on that qualify you for Carer's Allowance are PIP, Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance. The full list can be found via Like many other benefits, Carer's Allowance opens up a host of other perks. For example, for each week you get Carer's Allowance, you'll automatically get NI credits that will top up your state pension. Carer's Allowance can also make you eligible for a council tax reduction and grants and bursaries to cover the cost of courses and training. Bear in mind, if your weekly earnings breach £196, known as the earnings limit, you will no longer be eligible for Carer's Allowance. The weekly limit was uplifted in April, from £151 to £196 - the largest yearly rise since 1976. If you are on Carer's Allowance and your earnings rise to over this threshold, it's crucial you report this so you're not overpaid. If you don't, you will have to pay back any overpaid benefit. Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data. You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for. .
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
Parents with autistic and ADHD children can get £16,157 in benefits and extra help
Scroll to see how you could money for a free holiday HELPING HAND Parents with autistic and ADHD children can get £16,157 in benefits and extra help – how to claim Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RAISING kids can cost parents thousands of pounds a year putting big pressure on budgets. Children with disabilities such as autism and ADHD can require extra support that piles on extra financial strain. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 You can get extra financial help if you are a parent raising children with autism or ADHD Credit: Alamy Fortunately, there are extra financial resources available to parents of children with added needs. Here's how you can get cash to help with everything from childcare to holidays... Disability living allowance (DLA) - £9,700 Depending on the level of extra care you need to give your child, you could qualify for the child disability payment. The rate is up to £187.45 a week rated on the level of help the child needs. To qualify for the allowance, your child's condition must mean that they need much more looking after than a child of the same age without disability, or they have difficulty getting about. At the lowest rate you'll get £29.20 a week for care, this is when they need help for some of the day. At a middle rate, you'll receive £73.90 where a child needs frequent help or constant supervision during the day. And at the highest rate, the child will need help or supervision throughout both day and night with a rate of £110.40. There is a separate part if your child has mobility issues which can top the amount up to as much as £187.45 or more than £9,700 a year. You'll need to show that the difficulties have been in place for at least three months and are expected to last for at least six months. There are separate criteria for the mobility element of the DLA. You can apply for the benefit by calling 0800 121 4600. Carers Allowance - £4,331 If your child is on the middle or highest rate of the Disability Living Allowance payment you could then qualify for a carers allowance which is worth £83.30 a week or £4,331 a year. You'll need to spend at least 35 hours a week caring for your child to get the allowance. Your earnings will also need to come in at £196 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses. It's also worth noting that when you claim Carer's Allowance your other benefit payments may change. For example, you're Universal Credit could be reduced by the amount you're receiving from the Carers Allowance. You can apply online and will need information such as your National Insurance number and employment details. Extra tax-free childcare - £2,000 If your child gets the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) you also get extra in tax-free childcare. The government gives working parents £2 for every £8 paid into a tax-free childcare account, up to £2,000 a year. But for disabled children, the limit is £4,000 a year. The account can be used to pay for nursery fees, childminders, as well as summer holiday camps. Apply online at A third off train travel - £126 The Disabled Persons Railcard offers a third off rail fares in Britain, saving regular users around £126 a year. The card costs £14.50 a year for young persons aged five to 15. The card doesn't offer discounts on child fares, but it will allow one person travelling with the cardholder to get a third off most rail fares meaning a parent can get the savings. Family fund If you are raising a disabled child and on a low income, you could apply for a grant from charity Family Fund. A grant is money that doesn't have to be paid back. The organisation provides grants for family breaks, clothing, days out, computers and tablet, furniture, and toys among other items to support with your child's upbringing. To be eligible, a child or young person will need to show they require a high level of support in at least three out of seven key area including social activities, education, communication, and personal care. You will need to show your household income is low, either through receiving selected benefits or providing proof of earnings. You can apply online at Other grants A range of organisations including the government and local charity's offer financial help if you are in need that doesn't need to be paid back. These can have quite niche criteria for qualifying. For example, there are grants available for people working specifically in the education sector and experiencing financial hardship. It means that if you are a parent working in this sector and have a with a child living with ADHD or autism, you could get help. Turn2Us has an online tool which checks your eligibility for more than 1,400 grants. What help is available to parents for childcare costs? CHILDCARE can be a costly business. Here is how you can get help. 30 hours of free childcare - Parents of three and four-year-olds can apply for 30 hours of free childcare a week. To qualify you must work at least 16 hours a week at the national living or minimum wage and earn less than £100,000 a year. free childcare - Parents of three and four-year-olds can apply for 30 hours of free childcare a week. To qualify you must work at least 16 hours a week at the national living or minimum wage and earn less than £100,000 a year. Tax credits - For children under 20, some families can get help with childcare costs. For children under 20, some families can get help with childcare costs. Tax-free childcare - Available to working families and the self-employed, for every £8 you put in the government will add an extra £2.
Irish Independent
07-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
170 extra carers across Wicklow to qualify for allowance under new changes
In addition, it is expected that 5,280 carers across the country will receive an increase in their weekly payment because of the changes. A household earning up to €69,000 can now receive the full Carer's Allowance and even households earning up to €97,000 may qualify for a partial payment. Wicklow Wexford TD Brian Brennan believes the change will make a difference to families that are caring for their loved ones at home. 'Our carers play a vital role in our society and we need to support them. This is a welcome step, but we need to go further.' Also welcoming the news Wicklow TD Edward Timmins said the change announced in Budget 2025 is a positive step forward. 'There have been significant changes to the Carers Allowance means test in recent years with the income disregard increased by €292.50 for a single person and €585 for a 'The further increase in the income limits this week will mean that 99% of people receiving Carer's Allowance will now receive the maximum rate of payment. he added.
Scottish Sun
03-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Thousands on benefits including Universal Credit are missing out on help with key bill
We share how you can apply for the support TO YOUR BENEFIT Thousands on benefits including Universal Credit are missing out on help with key bill Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOUSANDS on benefits, including Universal Credit, are missing out on help with a key bill. Council tax is an annual fee you pay to your local council. The cost is set by your council and goes towards funding local services. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 We explain how you can help with your council tax bill if you claim Universal Credit Credit: Alamy That means the amount you pay varies depending on where you live. You usually have to pay the charge if you own or rent your home. But if you claim certain benefits, such as Universal Credit, you could be entitled to a discount on the amount you pay. The support is given out by local councils in England, so how much you get will depend on where you live, your income, dependants and other benefits. You can find out if you're eligible by visiting To use the tool, you will need to enter your postcode and it will redirect you to your local council's website where you can find out more. How much you get will also depend on what band you are in. The bands range from A to H, with A homes paying the least and H the most. For example, households in Leeds can apply for a Council Tax Support if they claim Universal Credit or Carers Allowance. In Manchester, you can claim council tax support when you apply for Universal Credit. Disability benefit explained - what you can claim If you are already receiving council tax support but are due to be moved across to Universal Credit it is important to tell the council. The government is in the process of moving people on older benefits, like tax credits and income-based ESA, to the newer Universal Credit system. You may have received a migration notice in the form of a letter. As soon as you get this, write to your local council to ensure your support continues. Charities such as Shelter have information online about how to structure the letter. You can find out more by visiting, What other Council Tax Support is available? If you're not receiving benefits or don't qualify for your local authority's low-income council tax support scheme, you may still be eligible for help. Pensioners may also be able to get a council tax discount if they receive certain benefits. Those on the guarantee credit element of pension credit could get up to 100% off their bill. If you do not get guaranteed credit but have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings then you may still get some help. Meanwhile, if you are a pensioner who lives alone then you will qualify for a 25% discount. Elsewhere, you could get a 25% council tax reduction if you live on your own or if others at home are classed as "disregarded". For example, if a single adult lives with a severely mentally impaired person then they can get 25% off their council tax. Meanwhile, if you live in an all-student household then you do not need to pay any council tax.
The Irish Sun
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Thousands of Irish qualify for €447 social welfare cash & MORE eligible for ‘maximum rate' in major new scheme expansion
THOUSANDS more Irish people will qualify for a weekly social welfare payment worth up to €447 following a change to the eligibility rules. And the major Advertisement 1 More people will qualify for the Carer's Allowance payment under the new expansion of the scheme Credit: Getty Images - Getty The weekly income disregard for the This means the first €625 of a single person's weekly income and €900 of a couple's weekly income will not be taken into account when applying for the means-tested payment. The reform to the income disregard is expected to take effect from Thursday. Cash income, capital and maintenance payments are all assessed by the Department of Social Protection as part of the means test. Advertisement READ MORE IN MONEY However, the changes to the means test, which will take effect this week, means a person will still be able to qualify for the payment even if they are earning over €450 from other income each week. And the move means that a whopping 99 per cent of people receiving Carer's Allowance maximum weekly payment is €260 for a carer aged under 66 that is caring for one person, and €390 for a person aged under 66 that is caring for two or more people. Carer's aged 66 or over who are caring for one person can receive a maximum payment of €298 each week while those who are caring for two people or more and are aged under 66 can claim €447. Advertisement MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN Breaking Little known social welfare benefits thousands are entitled to In addition to this, it is expected that many more carers will now qualify for the payment for the first time under the higher income limits. Deputy O'Shea described the move announced in Budget 2025, as a "positive change", but said the government "needs to go further". He said: "There have been significant changes to the Carers Allowance means test in recent years with the income disregard increased by €292.50 for a single person and €585 for a couple since 2022. Advertisement 'It has been confirmed to me that the further increase in the income limits this week will mean that 99 per cent of people receiving Carer's Allowance will now receive the maximum rate of payment. 'In addition, these changes will mean that many more carers who were previously outside the income limits will now qualify for a payment. STILL TIME TO APPLY FOR €2,000 BOOST THE Carer's Support Grant increased to €2,000 - its highest level ever - last month. The non taxable and non means tested payment had been €1,850 in previous years, but was upped by €150 for 2025. The payment was given to those already receiving the Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit and the Domiciliary Care Allowance. Those who believe they may You can apply for a Carer's Support Grant for any given year from April of that year until 31 December of the following year. This means you can 'Our carers play a vital role in our society and we need to support them. This is a welcome step, but we need to go further. "The Programme for Government commits to phasing out the means test entirely during the lifetime of this Government." Advertisement O'Shea called on Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary to build on the "strong work" in this area in recent years and outline a road map for phasing out the means test altogether. She said: "This is not the final step, but real progress towards Fianna Fáil's commitment to abolish the means test for Carer's Allowance. "I look forward to working closely with the Minister to continue strengthening support for our careers in the future." Advertisement Minister Calleary said: "The Programme for Government is ambitious for carers. Importantly, we will continue to significantly increase the income disregards for Carer's Allowance in each Budget with a view to phasing out the means test during the lifetime of the government."
