Entitlement to carer’s allowance
Carer’s credit is a National Insurance credit that can help carers to fill gaps in their National Insurance record. Carers who don’t qualify for Carer’s Allowance may qualify for Carer’s Credit. This may also help carers increase their State Pension entitlement.
The Carer’s Credit is available to qualifying applicants caring for one or more people for at least 20 hours per week. A carer’s income, savings or investments do not affect their eligibility for Carer’s Credit. The carer must also be aged 16 or over and under the State Pension age to qualify.
The person the carer is looking after must usually receive one of the following benefits:
- Personal Independence Payment – daily living component
- Disability Living Allowance – the middle or highest care rate
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Constant Attendance Allowance at the basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Child Disability Payment – the middle or highest care rate
- Adult Disability Payment – daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate
If the person being cared for is not receiving one of the qualifying benefits, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will consider whether the level of care provided is appropriate to still qualify for Carer's Credit. The DWP will usually consider the level of care as appropriate if there is a signed care certificate confirming this from a health or social care professional.