Carer’s Benefit is a payment for insured people who have recently left the workforce and are looking after certain people in need of full-time care and attention.
You can get Carer’s Benefit for a total of 2 years for each person you are caring for. You can claim it for a continuous period of 2 years or in separate periods adding up to 2 years. If you provide care to more than one person, you may be entitled to an extra 50% of your personal payment.
Note
You should apply for Carer’s Benefit 10 weeks before you intend to leave employment so we have enough time to check if you qualify and deal with your claim.
If you leave the workforce to care for a person in need of full-time care and attention, you may be entitled to unpaid temporary leave from your employment. See Section 15 for more information.
Carer’s Allowance is a means tested payment for people who are looking after certain people. Since 27th September 2007 if you are getting certain payment(s) from this Department and you satisfy the conditions for Carer’s Allowance, you may get half the rate of Carer’s Allowance along with your existing payments. It may also be possible for you to receive half rate Carer’s Allowance in addition to someone receiving an increase for you as a qualified adult on their own social welfare payment. For more information, see SW 41.
Note
Carer’s Benefit is not payable at half rate with another Social welfare payment.