If you need assistance and support to access carer’s allowance and benefits, please contact the Reading and West Berkshire Carers Partnership:
Reading Mencap, Information & Advice and Carers Assessments in Reading,
21 Alexandra Road, Reading, RG1 5PE,
Tel: 0118 926 3600
Email: carers@readingmencap.org.uk
Age UK Reading, Information & Advice and Carers Assessments in Reading
Walford Hall, Carey Street, Reading, RG1 7JS,
Tel: 07716 418 941
Email: carers@ageukreading.org.uk
Age UK Berkshire: Information & Advice in West Berkshire
Unit 119, Broad Street Mall, Reading RG1 7QA,
Tel: 0118 959 4242
E-mail: info@ageukberkshire.org.uk
CommuniCare: Information & Advice and, in Reading, Carers Assessments as well.
233 Kings Road, Reading, RG1 4LS,
Tel: 0118 926 3941
Email: office@communicare.org.uk
You don’t have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for to claim. You won’t get extra if you care for more than one person. A carer can claim carer’s allowance if they:
The person cared for must receive one of the following benefits:
CommuniCare: For all other Carers in Reading
Information & Advice and Carer’s Assessments, 233 Kings Road, Reading, RG1 4LS
Tel: 0118 926 3941 Email: office@communicare.org.uk, www.communicare.org.uk
If a carer is getting state retirement pension, incapacity benefit, bereavement benefit or any other type of earnings replacement of more than the rate of carer’s allowance, the carer cannot be paid carer’s allowance as well. That carer could, however, have an underlying entitlement to carer’s allowance, which can help them get more money from other benefits, such as an extra amount of income support or pension credit.
A carer may be able to get an additional amount for a spouse, or civil partner or someone living with them who looks after their dependent children.
When you claim carer’s allowance the person you care for will stop getting:
For each week you get carer’s allowance you will automatically get carer’s credit to help fill gaps in your national insurance record, to make sure you qualify for certain benefits including the state pension.
More information on insurance credits.
If you and your partner are of working age and on a low income you may be eligible for Universal Credit. For more details and to make a claim please see Universal Credit.
You can get help to claim for Universal Credit from Citizens Advice – phone 0800 1448 444 and visit Citizens Advice.