Carers Allowance Query

Swanseajack

Hi, if both halves of a couple are in receipt of State Pension, and one is a carer for the other, does anyone know how the underlying entitlement works in respect of claiming Pension Credit? Having had a letter confirming the entitlement still stands - despite the imminent receipt of SP - there is a suggestion to claim Pension Credit instead. Surely two State Pensions alone would be over the weekly income threshold to claim PC? If this is the case, which it seems to be from an enquiry call to the PC line, does that mean that CA just stops at SP age, and there is no further help available? Thanks.

whizzywoo

If you have an underlying entitlement to Carer's allowance then you get a premium added to Pension Credit. So if you are both caring for each other, and you both have Attendance Allowance or the Care Element of PIP then you receive 2 x the Carer's Premium and 2 x the Severe Disability Allowance. So the Guaranteed Minimum amount you need to have coming in will be way above the total of two New State Pensions.

If only one of you is a Carer for the other you do not qualify for the Severe Disability Allowance but still get one Carer's Premium. I'm not sure if that takes you above the total of two state pensions.

Swanseajack

Thanks for your reply. My partner cares for me, and I receive AA. My partner has been receiving CA, which we are told will stop in June, when her pension kicks in. However, on the advice of CAB, we were told to claim PC, and that being in receipt of an 'underlying entitlement' letter (which my partner has been sent) would disregard the usual income thresholds for PC, so even if there were two pensions coming in (which there will be in June), she should still be awarded PC, due to the underlying entitlement. Does that make sense? The Pensions office seem to think differently though, and said that she could try doing an online claim, but would be unlikely to be awarded PC. It's all got me rather confused, and seems a bit vague. Surely they should know if she could get it or not? Are there specific higher threshold figures if you are a carer?

whizzywoo

On on my phone at the moment and find it difficult to access the figures.

Tomorrow when I boot up my laptop I'll have a look at the figures involved.

So only one of you is a Carer?

You receive Attendance Allowance?

Does your partner receive a disability pension such as the care component of PIP or DLA ?

Or will they be able to claim Attendance Allowance?

How much will both your State pensions total weekly?

Do you have any other income such as private pensions or wages?

Swanseajack

Thanks so much. Yes, only my partner is a carer (for me), and only I receive Attendance Allowance. My partner doesn't claim any benefits apart from CA. Our joint pensions will total around £420. Appreciate your offer of help. All the best

Swanseajack

I had a part time job which brought in around £85/week, but haven't been able to do it for a while now. I wish I could, but presumably extra money like that would definitely put us over the income threshold anyway (even if the thresholds are generally higher if you have underlying entitilement to CA). No other income or pensions.

Spoonie_Turtle

Current PC rates per week are

£346.60 couple rate

£46.40 carer

These will increase a bit in April but so will your pension.

Oh you said June. Okay new figures for April:

£363.25 couple rate

£48.15 carer

Total £411.40/week from April

So if your combined income is above that, you won't be eligible.

Rubyroobs

You are correct. With two amounts of new state pension coming in you are over the Pension credit threshold even with a carer premium added into the Pension credit calculation. It's generally only couples where one of them has a lower state pension that will qualify. Double check on the Age UK online calculator which is usually very accurate. Did the person at CAB who told you to claim Pension credit actually do a proper benefit calculation for you?

whizzywoo

I can see that @Rubyroobs and @Spoonie_Turtle have answered as I would have done.

Unfortunately the Carer's Premium added to the Couple Amount won't be enough to increase the threshold and you won't be eligible for any Pension Credit.

However if in the future your partner also had a disability, and is able to claim Attendance Allowance as well as you, things would change.

Here is a link to the Benefit Rates for the current year and the new rates from the 6th April. If you scroll down you will come to the amounts for Pension Credit.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-and-pension-rates-2026-to-2027/proposed-benefit-and-pension-rates-2026-to-2027

Swanseajack

Thanks to everyone for your replies, much appreciated, and at least we're now in the loop. It's a tough pill to swallow that they give with the one hand and take with the other. So, there will be zero help for my partner being my carer as I understand it, due to the fact that once she is in receipt of her state pension, her monthly carer's allowance will be stopped. Seems most unfair. Thankfully, she's relatively fit and well so no requirement for AA at this time. Thanks again, and apologies for delayed response, our lovely dog had to be put to sleep a few days ago and it's been a truly rubbish time. :-(