My fellow carers: check now to find out if you could qualify for the cost-of-living payment
This doesn’t affect me, despite being a carer, because I don’t qualify for other benefits and live in a household with someone who’ll get the cost-of-living payment anyway.
But if you are a carer and are not currently thought to be eligible for the payment, the advice is: use an online calculator to see if you qualify for a means-tested benefit, because then you might get the cost-of-living payment too.
Here’s the important stuff:
In May last year there were 936,766 people receiving weekly payments of £69.70 for Carer’s Allowance.
Carer’s Allowance will rise in line with inflation next month and increase from £69.70 per week to £76.75, however, claimants will not be eligible for the new £900 cost of living payment unless they are also in receipt of a qualifying, means-tested benefit. The £900 payment will be delivered in three lump sums of £301, £300 and £299, with the first payment due between April 25 and May 17, 2023.
Statistically… 60 per cent of unpaid carers are living in a household where someone is in receipt of a qualifying means-tested benefit.
DWP Minister Tom Pursglove, urged unpaid carers to check their eligibility for means-tested benefits to make sure they are not missing out on additional support – which could then make them eligible for the £900 cost of living payment.
“Depending on personal circumstances, carers may be eligible for means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit and Pension Credit. Means-tested benefits can be paid to carers at a higher rate than those without caring responsibilities through the Carer Element in Universal Credit and the additional amounts for carers in other benefits respectively.
“We would encourage anyone who is providing unpaid care, and who is not already in receipt of a means-tested benefit, to check on GOV.UK to confirm whether there are other benefits they may be entitled to.”
So, carers: what are you waiting for?
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