PKAVS Carers Hub
Tel: 01738 567076
Address: PKAVS
The Gateway
North Methven Street
Perth
PH1 5PP
Contact Raymond Jamieson
Email raymond.jamieson@pkavs.org.uk
The main state benefit that carers can apply for is Carers Allowance - this is the only benefit specifically for carers, however not all carers will qualify for this benefit.
You don’t have to be living with the person you care for or related to them but there are some conditions attached to this benefit, including:
At the moment Carers Allowance is £62.70 a week. However before making a claim, always check with the person you are caring for as your claim may affect any means-tested benefits they are receiving.
For more information on Carers Allowance and to find out if you may be entitled to this please contact the Welfare Rights Team on welfarerights@pkc.gov.uk or call them on 01738 476900 (Option 1).
Please note: the Carers Allowance DS700 forms and notes have been updated with new versions. Please ensure you are using the correct forms when making a claim if you are unable to complete the form online. The link below will take you to the correct forms.
Carers Allowance Forms and Notes
Please note, that Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people with a long-term health condition or disability aged 16 to 64.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is money for people who have extra care needs or mobility needs (difficulty getting around) as a result of a disability.
There are two parts called components, the daily living component and the mobility component. You may qualify for one or both of them.
For more information about PIP please visit - www.pkc.gov.uk/pip
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a child who:
They will need to meet all the eligibility requirements.
The DLA rate is between £22 and £141.10 a week and depends on the level of help the child needs.
It is tax-free and is disregarded as an income for means-tested benefits. If awarded, you can get an increase in Child Tax Credit.
For more information about DLA please visit - www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children
Attendance Allowance is money for people aged 65 or over who have care needs. You may have care needs if you need help with activities of daily living such as getting dressed, going to the toilet or having someone to look after your so you do not hurt yourself.
Attendance Allowance is payable at two rates as follows:
Lower Rate - If you have day time needs only OR if you have night time needs only then you could get the lower rate of Attendance Allowance. This is £55.65 per week from April 2017.
Higher Rate - If you have both day time AND night time needs or satisfy the special rules, you could get the higher rate of Attendance Allowance. This is £83.10 per week from April 2017.
For more information about Attendance Allowance please visit - www.pkc.gov.uk/aa
Carer's Credits mean carers can be ‘credited’ with Class 3 national insurance contributions to help them qualify for other benefits which they may not otherwise have been eligible for if their caring responsibilities prevented them from being able to work and pay national insurance contributions in the normal way.
Applies to: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Age rules: You must be 16 or over but under state pension age
Apply for Carer's Credit through: Department for Work and Pensions
For more information on Carers Credit please visit - www.gov.uk/carers-credit
For further information and advice on any of the above benefits please email welfarerights@pkc.gov.uk or call them on 01738 476900 (Option 1)
Last Modified: 05 April 2018
Perth & Kinross Welfare Rights Team
Email: welfarerights@pkc.gov.uk
Tel: 01738 476900 (Option 1)
Web: www.pkc.gov.uk/welfarerights
Address: Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth, PH1 5GD
Turn2Us
They are a national charity that have a very thorough A-Z Benefit Guide on their website. You can also print off information about each benefit.
Please visit - www.turn2us.org.uk/Your-Situation and click on the A-Z of Benefits.