Carer's Allowance: Cost of Living Payments

Question

This Government recognises and values the vital contribution made by carers every day in providing significant care and continuity of support to family and friends, including pensioners and those with disabilities.

The Cost-of-Living Payment is being targeted at households who are in receipt of a means-tested income replacement benefit. Carers Allowance is a non means tested benefit.

Carers on low incomes can claim income-related benefits, such as Universal Credit and Pension Credit. These benefits can be paid to carers at a higher rate than those without caring responsibilities through the carer element and the additional amount for carers respectively. Nearly 60% of carers on low incomes who are of working age and on Carer’s Allowance also claim an income-related benefit through which they may be entitled to receive a Cost-of-Living Payment.

Six million people in receipt of an eligible disability benefit will also receive the £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment. This includes carers who are themselves in receipt of a qualifying benefit.

All Carer’s Allowance recipients who are domestic energy customers will benefit from the new “Energy Price Guarantee” this is in addition to the over £37bn of cost-of-living support announced earlier this year which includes the £400 non-repayable discount to eligible households provided through the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

In England those who pay Council Tax should have also received a £150 rebate.

In addition, to support people who need additional help, the Government is providing an additional £500 million to help households with the cost of essentials, on top of what we have already provided since October 2021, bringing total funding for this support to £1.5 billion. In Scotland this is taking the form of an extension to the Household Support Fund backed by £41m, running from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023.