State pensioners in the UK are being urged to check if they’re eligible for an extra £221 a week through Carer’s Credit.
This vital support aims to protect the state pension entitlements of unpaid carers who provide between 20 and 35 hours of care per week.
The credit is designed to fill gaps in National Insurance contributions, ensuring carers don’t miss out on their full state pension when they reach retirement age.
With an estimated 10 million unpaid carers in the UK, experts warn that failing to claim this credit could result in a significant loss of pension income.
Carers are urged to check their eligibility promptly, as the credit can be backdated to the start of the previous tax year.
To be eligible for Carer’s Credit, individuals must provide care for someone for more than 20 hours but less than 35 hours a week
Around 1.2 million unpaid carers are in poverty
PA
The person being cared for must also be receiving certain benefits, such as Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP). Even if the person being cared for doesn’t receive an eligible benefit, carers may still apply for a Care Certificate.
Carer’s Credit is crucial as it ensures that years spent caring, where National Insurance contributions might not be made, still count towards the state pension.
This warning comes from Mobilise – which is a community group for unpaid carers – who have said many carers find themselves having to reduce their work in order to provide the support.
Suzanne Bourne, a care expert at Mobilise said: “Few think as far ahead as their pension, but it’s vital that this issue isn’t overlooked.
“If you start work at 21 and stop working at 51 to care for your partner, you will only receive a partial state pension when you turn 66.”
Without enough qualifying years of National Insurance contributions, carers risk receiving only a partial state pension or potentially no pension at all.
According to the group, if someone earns less than £242 a week, then they do not make enough to contribute to National Insurance.
Currently, the full new state pension is worth £221.20 per week or £11,541.90 annually. To receive this full amount, individuals need 35 qualifying years of contributions.
To avoid an “unpleasant” shock in retirement, the group urge carers to check their eligibility using their free online tool.
By claiming Carer’s Credit, carers can “fill the gap” between caring and work.
For those providing care for at least 35 hours per week, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) offers Carer’s Allowance. This benefit could provide eligible carers with £81.90 per week, amounting to £354 per month or £4,258 annually.
To be eligible, carers must be 16 or over, have lived in the UK for at least two of the last three years, and earn £139 or less per week after deductions.
The person being cared for must receive specific benefits, including Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, or Attendance Allowance, among others.
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Care duties can include various tasks such as washing, cooking, or accompanying the person to medical appointments.
Carers should note that this allowance may affect other benefits they or the person they care for receive. However, it also provides National Insurance credits and potential access to additional support like Council Tax Reduction or Universal Credit.