Carers Allowance

remyroo · 19 January at 2:08PM

Hi.
Just a quick question about Carers Allowance. I understand that if two people care for the same person only one can claim Carers Allowance. My question is does that person have to care for 35 hours a week or can they split the care and obviously share the Allowance with the person who is not claiming?

Thanks

born_again · 19 January at 2:11PM

remyroo said:

Hi.
Just a quick question about Carers Allowance. I understand that if two people care for the same person only one can claim Carers Allowance. My question is does that person have to care for 35 hours a week or can they split the care and obviously share the Allowance with the person who is not claiming?
Thanks

You could get £83.30 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits.
https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance

I take would be NO, as neither are caring for 35 hours.

TimeLord1 · 19 January at 3:42PM

The person claiming the allowance must reach the 35-hour threshold on their own. You cannot combine 20 hours from one person and 15 hours from another to meet the criteria. So whoever makes the claim is responsible, as it's linked to your account and NI number. So paying a percentage to someone else isn't allowed, but above your 35 hours, they can volunteer to help for free. And it's up to you if you thank them.

remyroo · 21 January at 2:55PM

Thank you for your help. I’ll let my cousin know.

remyroo · 20 February at 10:04AM

Hi. I know a private pension isn’t classed as earnings but if you pay tax on your earnings because of a private pension which then brings you below the earnings threshold would you be eligible for carers allowance?
Thanks

remyroo · 20 February at 11:34AM

Hi. I understand that a private pension doesn’t count as earnings however if you pay tax on your earnings because your pension takes you over the tax threshold are you eligible for carers allowance if your net pay is then below £196.00.
Thanks

born_again · 20 February at 1:10PM

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81892170#Comment_81892170

How old are they?

remyroo · 20 February at 2:32PM

They are 59. They earn £201 per week and have a private pension of around £5000 per year which means they pay tax on both the pension and their earnings (tax code split between the two) so their net wage brings them to below £196. However if they didn’t have a private pension they wouldn’t pay any tax so net wage would be over £196.