Financial help and support for carers
You may be entitled to claim benefits if you care for someone with Parkinson's.
We doubled the amount of benefits received by people with Parkinson's and their carers in 2009.
Diane Benali, Information and Support Worker
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.
We've outlined below the benefits you or the person you care for
may be able to claim.
If you would like more information about each benefit,
or help with benefit claims, speak to
the dedicated benefits and employment adviser on
our free helpline 0808 800
0303. Or you can get in touch with one of our local information and support workers.
Diane Benali tells us how information
and support workers help people with Parkinson's and their carers
access benefits and support.
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 on the
DirectGov Carer's Allowance web page.
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
Directgov 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
Directgov Disability Living Allowance web page.
More information on benefits for carers
Carers UK has a lot of information
about benefits you may be entitled to claim.
Directgov 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
Grants for people with Parkinson's
Our
Mali Jenkins Fund gives financial assistance towards equipment,
adaptations and respite breaks that improve quality of life for
people with Parkinson's.
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