Article: Carers Finances & Benefits Article Body If you are not sure whether you can claim or what to claim then you can get advice from a number of organisations. Barnsley Welfare Rights Service provides free and confidential advice to enable you and your carer to access the benefits that you may be entitled to. You can either click on the link in the previous sentence or telephone 01226 772360 for advice. The Citizens' Advice Bureau offer free advice on a number of subjects from benefit advice to representation at tribunals. Click on the Citizens' Advice Bureau link or telephone 08444 111 444 for more information. The following lists some of the benefits that you may be entitled to depending on your circumstances: Disability Living Allowance/Attendance Allowance This is paid to the person being cared for if they need help with personal tasks. There are different levels of payment depending on how much help the person needs. It is strongly advised that you seek advice before making a claim. Carers Allowance Carer's Allowance is the only state benefit specifically for carers so it's important to find out if you can receive it. To qualify you need to meet some rules. One of the main rules is that the person you are claiming for needs to receive either Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance. Income Support You may be able to claim Income Support as a carer while you are caring for a person who gets Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance (high rate) or you have an award of Carers Allowance. You can work and there is no limit on the number of hours you work. Although, bear in mind the amount you earn reduces the amount of Income Support you receive. Carer Premium The Carer Premium can be included in the Income Support assessment, (Pension Credit calculation of someone who is over 60 years of age), providing they make a claim for Carers Allowance and meet all the other conditions of entitlement to it. It can also increase the amount of Housing and Council Tax benefit you may be entitled to. Housing and Council Tax Benefit There are different ways in which you may be able to get help with your rent and council tax bill. Some properties can be exempt for council tax or qualify for a discount. You can apply for a reduction, exemption or backdate to your council tax if you think that you qualify for this. Useful websites The following websites have information that may be useful to you: DirectGov-Money,Tax and Benefits DirectGov - Hospital stays and your benefits Citizens Advice Bureau Disability Alliance Department for Work And Pensions Age Concern Royal National Institute for the Blind Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit