Benefits or financial support for Carers
Carers are people who look after someone else who needs care, such as a friend or family member.
Sefton Council provides a wealth of advice, information , support and opportunities for those unpaid Carers living in Sefton through the dedicated Sefton Carers Centre.
This could be someone who is:
- Ill
- Disabled
- Older
- Living with long‑term physical or mental health needs
Carers may be eligible for benefits or additional discounts. These benefits help carers with things like:
- Living costs
- Extra bills
- Reduced ability to work
- Recognition of caring responsibilities
You may be able to get support as a carer if you are:
- Caring for at least 35hrs a week, although this is different for the support available.
- Over or under State Pension age
- Caring for a family member or friend
Easy summary - Carer’s Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance is money for people who care for others
- Caring is important work, even if unpaid
- It helps carers while they support someone else
There is easy read information about Carers Allowance on GOV.UK
What is Carer’s Allowance?
Carer’s Allowance is money from the government to help people who look after someone else who needs a lot of help.
The person they care for might:
- Be ill
- Have a disability
- Need help every day
Who is a carer?
A carer is someone who:
- Looks after another person regularly
- Is usually a family member or friend
- Is not paid for the care they give
They might help with:
- Washing and dressing
- Eating and taking medicine
- Keeping the person safe
- Going out or getting around
Who can get Carer’s Allowance?
A person may be able to get Carer’s Allowance if they:
Care for someone 35 hours a week or more.
Look after someone who gets a benefit like:- PIP
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (care part)
- Do not earn too much money from work - check the amount on GOV.UK as this changes every year.
Why do people get Carer’s Allowance?
Caring takes:
- Time
- Energy
- Patience
Carer’s Allowance helps carers:
- Pay for food and bills
- Have some support while helping others
Can carers work or study?
Sometimes.
- Carers can work or study a little
- But if they earn too much money, the allowance may stop
What if the cared‑for person goes into hospital?
If the person being cared for:
- Goes into hospital for a long time (usually 4 weeks)
Then:
- Carer’s Allowance may stop
- It can start again when the person comes home
Why are Carer’s Allowance and Attendance Allowance different?
They are different because they help different people.
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance helps the person who needs help.
Carer’s Allowance
Carer’s Allowance helps the person who gives the help.
Can both be claimed at the same time?
Yes.
- One person can get Attendance Allowance
- The person who looks after them may get Carer’s Allowance
They are linked, but they are for different people.
Easy summary - Carers Element of Universal Credit
- The carer’s element is extra money in Universal Credit
- It is for people who care 35 hours a week or more
- Carers usually do not have to look for work
- It helps support carers while they help others
What is the carer’s element of Universal Credit?
The carer’s element is extra money added to Universal Credit for people who look after someone else.
It is not a separate benefit. It is part of Universal Credit.
Who is it for?
It is for someone who:
Gets Universal Credit
Looks after another person for 35 hours a week or more
Cares for someone who gets a disability benefit, such as:- PIP
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (care part)
Who gets the money?
The carer gets the extra money, not the person being cared for.
It helps because:
- Caring takes a lot of time
- Carers may not be able to work much
Do carers have to look for work?
Usually no.
If someone gets the carer’s element: They do not have to look for a job. They do not have work meetings
This is because caring is already a big job.
Is it the same as Carer’s Allowance?
No.
They are different:
-
Carer’s Allowance
- Is a separate benefit
- Has rules about how much you can earn
-
Carer’s Element of Universal Credit
- Is extra money inside Universal Credit
- You can sometimes get this instead of Carer’s Allowance
Some people cannot get both at the same time, but Universal Credit will usually make sure carers are not worse off.
Easy way to remember
- Carer’s Allowance = money on its own
- Carer’s element = extra money added to Universal Credit
Both help people who care for others.
Easy summary - Underlying Entitlement to Carers Allowance
- Underlying entitlement means you qualify for Carer’s Allowance
- You do not get paid it because of another benefit
- It can increase other benefits
- You are still recognised as a carer
What does “Underlying Entitlement to Carer’s Allowance” mean?
It sounds tricky, but it really means this:
- Someone meets the rules for Carer’s Allowance
- but they are not paid Carer’s Allowance
- because they already get another benefit instead.
So they qualify, but do not get the money paid to them.
Why would someone not be paid Carer’s Allowance?
This happens when a carer already gets a benefit like:
- State Pension
- Another benefit that pays more money than Carer’s Allowance
The rules say: You usually cannot be paid both at the same time.
So why is underlying entitlement important?
Even though the carer is not paid Carer’s Allowance, the government still says:
“You are a carer”
“You count as looking after someone”This can help in other ways.
How does it help?
It can increase other benefits.
If a carer has an underlying entitlement, it can mean:
Extra money added to benefits like:
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Reduction
This is sometimes called a carer extra amount.
Do carers still have to look for work?
Usually no.
If someone has an underlying entitlement: They are still treated as a carer
They may not need to look for workA simple example
- A grandparent cares for someone 35 hours a week
- They get State Pension
- State Pension pays more than Carer’s Allowance
So: They are not paid Carer’s Allowance
- But they have underlying entitlement
- This can help them get more help with other benefits
Easy way to remember
- Carer’s Allowance paid = carer gets the money
- Underlying entitlement = carer could get it, but isn’t paid
Both mean: “This person is a carer”
Easy summary - Pension Credit (for carers over state pension age)
- Pension Credit helps older people with low income
- Older carers may get extra money included
- It supports people who care for others later in life
- Caring is recognised and valued
There is easy read information about Pension Credit on GOV.UK
Pension Credit (for carers over State Pension age)
Pension Credit is money from the government to help older people who do not have much money to live on.
Some people who get Pension Credit are also carers.
Who is this for?
This is for someone who:
- Is over State Pension age
- Looks after someone else who needs a lot of help
- Has low income or savings
- Lives in the UK
The person they care for might be:
- Ill
- Disabled
- Older
What does caring mean?
A carer is someone who helps another person a lot, for example with:
- Washing and dressing
- Eating or taking medicine
- Staying safe at home
Usually, carers help for 35 hours a week or more.
How does Pension Credit help carers?
Pension Credit can include extra money for carers.
This is sometimes called a carer extra amount.
It helps because:
- Caring takes time and energy
- Carers may not be able to work
What if the carer already gets State Pension?
That’s okay.
People can get State Pension and Pension Credit together
Pension Credit is there to top up their moneySome carers:
- Cannot be paid Carer’s Allowance because they get State Pension
- But they may still be recognised as a carer
This can help them get more help through Pension Credit.
Does the cared‑for person need a benefit?
Usually yes.
The person being cared for often gets:
- Attendance Allowance
- PIP
- Disability Living Allowance (care part)
This helps show that care is needed.
Do carers over Pension age have to look for work?
No.
- Older carers do not have to look for work
- Caring is treated as important work
Easy way to remember
- Pension Credit = help for older people with low money
- Carer extra = extra help if they look after someone
Easy summary - Council Tax Reduction (Carers)
- Council Tax Reduction helps carers pay less council tax
- It supports people with low money who care for others
- Each council decides how much help is given
- It helps carers feel less worried about bills
Council Tax Reduction – for carers
Council Tax Reduction is help with paying council tax for people who do not have much money.
Some people who get this help are carers.
What is council tax?
Council tax is money people pay to the local council to help pay for things like:
- Schools
- Bins and recycling
- Roads
- Libraries
- Social Care
Who is a carer?
A carer is someone who:
- Looks after another person
- Helps them a lot, often 35 hours a week or more
- Is usually unpaid
The person they care for may be:
- Ill
- Disabled
- Older
How does Council Tax Reduction help carers?
Caring can make it hard to work or earn money.
Council Tax Reduction helps carers by:
- Making their council tax cheaper
- Sometimes meaning they do not have to pay any council tax
The help is usually: Taken straight off the council tax bill
Who can get it?
A carer may be able to get Council Tax Reduction if they:
- Have low income or savings
- Are a carer
Get benefits like:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Carer’s Allowance or have Underlying Entitlement to Carer’s Allowance
Each local council decides the rules. You can find out more on Sefton Council Council Tax Discount and Exemptions page.
Does the circumstances of the cared for person count?
Yes, sometimes.
If the person being cared for:
- Gets a disability benefit (like PIP or Attendance Allowance), or
- Is severely disabled
This can help the carer get: More council tax support.
Sefton Council Social Care is the support the council provides to help people stay safe, independent, and well in their daily lives. There is also help and support through voluntary and community services.
What social care means
- Help for people who need support because of age, illness, disability, or personal circumstances
- It is for children, adults and family carers
- Focuses on helping people live independently and safely
- Delivered by the local council (like Sefton), often working with health services
Types of social care in Sefton
1. Adult Social Care (age 18+)
To find out more have a look at the Adult Social Care webpages.
Sefton Council says this service helps adults:
- Live independently in their own home
- Stay safe and well in the community
Examples of support:
- Help at home (washing, dressing, cooking)
- Equipment (e.g. grab rails, stairlifts)
- Care homes or supported living
- Mental health or learning disability support
- Short‑term help after hospital (reablement)
- Support for carers (family or friends helping someone)
2. Children’s Social Care
To find out more have a look at the Children's Social Care webpages.
Support for:
- Children and young people at risk
- Families who need extra help
Examples:
- Safeguarding and protection
- Family support services
- Help for children with disabilities
- Early help services (before problems get worse)
3. Carer support (all ages)
To find out more have a look at Sefton Carers Centre webpages.
There is also the family life toolkit supporting families with children.
- Advice, breaks (respite), and emotional support
- Help for people looking after someone else
What social care does
Sefton social care teams:
- Assess needs (what support someone requires)
- Create care and support plans
- Arrange services or connect people with local help
- Protect vulnerable people from harm (safeguarding)
Key aims
- Help people stay independent for as long as possible
- Provide the right support at the right time
- Focus on wellbeing, dignity, and choice
Easy summary - Carers Assessment
- A Carer’s Assessment checks how caring affects you
- It is free and not a test
- It helps carers get support
- Carers’ needs matter too
There is easy read information about Carers Assessments on NHS UK
Sefton Carers Centre support Carers Assessments they have information on their website.
What is a Carer’s Assessment?
A Carer’s Assessment is a conversation to see how caring affects you.
It is for people who:
- Look after someone else
- Give lots of help
- May feel tired, worried, or need support
It is not a test and you cannot fail.
Who is it for?
A Carer’s Assessment is for:
- Adults who care for another adult
- Parents who care for a disabled child
- Young carers (sometimes with extra support)
You do not need to:
- Be paid
- Live with the person you care for
- Care full‑time
Why is a Carer’s Assessment important?
Caring can affect:
- Health
- Sleep
- School or work
- Free time
- Feelings
The assessment helps make sure:
- Carers are listened to
- Carers get the right support
- Caring does not become too hard
What happens in a Carer’s Assessment?
Someone will talk with you about:
- What help you give
- How caring makes you feel
- What is hard for you
- What would make things easier
You can talk about:
- Feeling tired or stressed
- Money worries
- Breaks and rest
- Work, school, or college
What help can carers get after an assessment?
After a Carer’s Assessment, carers may get help such as:
- Advice and information
- Help with money or benefits
- Training or equipment
- Breaks from caring (called respite)
- Support groups
The help depends on:
- Your needs
- What your local council can offer
Does it cost money?
No.
- A Carer’s Assessment is free
- It is provided by the local council
Do carers have to accept help?
No.
- You can say yes or no
- You can ask for help later if things change
Easy way to remember
- Carer’s Assessment = checking how the carer is coping
- It is about you, not the person you care for