Older carers ‘missing out on extra financial support’

Thousands of older carers aren’t claiming extra financial support they’re entitled to, a charity has warned.

According to Age UK, 65,000 older carers on low incomes could be missing out on support such as the carer top-up to pension credit.

This, it said, is because they often don’t know what they’re entitled to and the application process is “complex and confusing”.

Age UK stated that this top-up, called carer addition, could be worth up to £2,412.80 extra per year for an older carer.

"The extra money an unpaid older carer typically receives from successfully claiming pension credit makes a big difference to their finances and quality of life,” said Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK.

“So it is heartbreaking that so many are missing out because they are unaware of their potential entitlement.”

Ms Abrahams added that the government should aim to increase public awareness of pension credit and introduce a system that proactively identifies the older people most likely to be eligible.

Am I eligible for extra pension credit if I’m a carer?

You may be eligible for the carer top-up, you must either apply or be entitled to carer’s allowance, even if you don’t receive payments because your state pension is higher.

Applying for carer’s allowance, even without receiving it, gives you an underlying entitlement to the benefit.

That means you have a higher chance of qualifying for pension credit and having carer addition factored into the amount you’d receive.

Half of older carers worried about their finances

According to a survey by Carers UK, almost half (48%) of older carers feel stressed or anxious about their financial situation.

This could be, in part, because many don’t know what support they’re entitled to.

For example, three-quarters (75%) didn’t know that applying for carers allowance makes them more likely to qualify for pension credit and more likely to get a higher amount.

Meanwhile, 40% said they’d like clearer advice and information about carers’ eligibility for pension credit. 

Older carers overlooked

Carers UK has called for a new system that recognises older carers, as carer’s allowance stops being paid when they reach state pension age, and if higher, the state pension is paid instead.

This, it said, makes carers feel “invisible and frustrated, even though they are still caring”.

The charity has also urged the government to boost the level of the carer top-up and make the application process simpler.

“Older carers are already having to provide significant amounts of care, are often in poor health themselves and are frequently exhausted from the amount of administration they have to deal with,” said Helen Walker, chief executive at Carers UK.

“Having such a complex, frustrating and baffling system is incredibly counter-productive and those on the lowest incomes can least afford to miss out.”  

Ms Walker added that a simple claims system has become “even more important” after winter fuel payments were limited to those on pension credit and other mean-tested benefits.

“The government needs to take this step before next winter so that as many carers as possible on low incomes get vital support,” she commented.

Find out what support what you can get

If you’re a carer and you’re struggling with the cost of living, then help is available.

Read our guide on what financial support you might be eligible for if you’re a carer.

You can also access our help online or over the phone.

We offer practical, impartial advice and can help you make sure you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to.