Financial support for carers
If your partner has Parkinson's, or
you care for someone with the condition, you may have some concerns
related to money.
You may be entitled to claim benefits if you care for someone with Parkinson's.
Everyone is different and the decisions you make about money
will depend on your personal circumstances. But the best thing
anyone can do is to get as much information as you can about your
options.
We doubled the amount of benefits received by people with Parkinson's and their carers in 2009.
Diane Benali, Information and Support Worker
How can I access benefits and allowances?
The welfare benefits system can be complex and finding out what
financial help is available is not always easy. But it's important
to find out what you're entitled to, and to claim it.
Remember, not all benefits are means tested or taxed.
Diane Benali tells us how information
and support workers help people with Parkinson's and their carers
access benefits and support.
We've outlined below the benefits you or the person you care for
may be able to claim.
Carer's Allowance
Carer's Allowance is not intended to be a wage or payment
for caring.
It is a taxable benefit for people who regularly spend at
least 35 hours a week caring for a disabled person. You do not have
to be related to the person or living with them.
You must be caring for someone who is receiving either
Attendance
Allowance or the Disability Living
Allowance care component at the middle or highest rate.
You may qualify for Carer's Allowance even if you have
never been in paid employment or paid National Insurance
contributions. Carer's Allowance is not means tested.
Claiming Carer's Allowance can sometimes reduce the amount of
means-tested benefits received by the person you look after.
You can read more on qualifying and applying for benefits
in our Carer's Allowance information
sheet or through information
from Gov.uk on carers and disability benefits.
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance is for the person needing care, not their
carer. However, you can only claim Carer's Allowance if the person
you are providing care for qualifies for Attendance Allowance
or Disability Living Allowance.
The person you care for may be able to claim Attendance
Allowance if they are 65 or over and need help with
personal care. 
Attendance Allowance is normally only available for those
who have needed help for 6 months or longer.
This benefit is not taxable. It is not based upon National
Insurance contributions and is not affected by income or
savings.
Attendance Allowance may increase the amount of means-tested
benefits you receive. It can be paid in addition to any other
social security benefits.
For more information take a look at our Attendance Allowance information sheet or on
the Gov.uk Attendance
Allowance web page.
Disability Living Allowance
Disability Living Allowance is also paid to the person who needs
care or supervision, not their carer. Like Attendance Allowance, it
also affects claims for Carer's Allowance.
Disability Living Allowance has 2 parts, or components: a
care component and a mobility component. You can get both
components or one component, depending on the condition of the
person making the claim.
Care component
The
care component is paid to people who can't cook a meal, need help
with personal care or who need someone to watch over them to ensure
that they are safe.
The rate paid depends on the amount of care or supervision
required. This will also affect the claim for Carer's
Allowance.
Mobility component
There is also a mobility component which is paid to people
who have difficulty walking and getting around outside their
home.
Find out more on our Disability Living Allowance information
sheet. You can also read more on the Gov.uk
Disability Living Allowance web page.
How do I access one-off grants?
Our Mali Jenkins Fund gives financial
assistance towards equipment, adaptations and respite breaks that
improve quality of life for people with Parkinson's.
Charitable benevolent funds and trusts offer grants and can
support daily costs for individuals in need. Some provide regular
help, advice and practical support. Your local Citizens Advice Bureau may
hold a record of these.
Occupational charities, for those who work or have worked in
particular industries, and those for ex-service people can also be
helpful.
More information on benefits for carers
Carers UK has a lot of information
about benefits you may be entitled to claim.
Gov.uk has useful information about
financial help, including Carer's Allowance, direct payments and
pensions.
nidirect has information about
benefits for people who live in Northern Ireland.
Also in this section
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