Council Tax Support and Carers Allowance

vonsworld

Hello

I am on a low income and receive Council Tax Support, I am also a carer for my elderly Dad and would be eligible for carers allowance.

If I claim carers allowance does anyone know if this will contribute towards the income calculation they use for council tax benefit? Could I end up paying more council tax?

I will not be claiming Universal Credit just Carers Allowance.

Thanks
Robin

Brie

How low is your income?  You need to have earnings that are normally below £196 a week and are working no more than 16 hours a week.  

It's unclear on the gov.uk website if this would effect your council tax support but they do state it might effect benefits such as UC.  

It also mentions that if you are not eligible for CA you might be eligible for carer's credits.  Look for the link at the bottom of the page - it does say further on that this will not effect your benefits but could boost your NI contributions.

Carer's Allowance: Eligibility - GOV.UK

KxMx

Council Tax Reduction is decided on at a local level with each local authority having different rules for this, meaning it's very hard to advise on individual cases from here. 

pmlindyloo

The easiest way to find out is to use a benefit calculator.  Try this one: www.entitledto.co.uk

Please be aware that if your dad is receiving any benefits then your claiming Carer's Allowance may affect his benefits.

KxMx

I'd suggest looking at your local authority website to see if they have a benefits calculator.
The national ones aren't always accurate for CTR.