News

PRESS RELEASE

Cambridge CAB, 16 November 2006              

Pensioners Who Are Caring For Others May Be Missing Out on Money 

IF YOU ARE OVER 60 CAMBRIDGESHIRE CABx WANT TO INCREASE YOUR INCOME
 

The Income Maximisation Project operated by Cambridgeshire CABx on behalf of the County Council are asking Pensioners to contact them to check they are not missing out on money they are entitled to.
 

Thousands of pensioners may be missing out on the support they are entitled to for looking after a sick or disabled relative at home, including benefits such as Carer’s Allowance and Pension Credit.
   

On Friday, 8 December Benefit Specialists will be available by phone to check your situation.  To get your entitlement checked contact the Citizens Advice on 0845 241 2555 between 10am and 5pm.

Older Carers - Did you know?

If you are an older carer, did you know that claiming Carer's Allowance could end up making you financially better off, even if you cannot be paid it.  Complicated?  It is, and it is easy to lose out if you don't know what the rules are.   Make sure you are not the one to lose out.
 

Many carers who get a State Retirement Pension are not paid Carer's Allowance, even though they meet all the conditions for it, because of a rule which says that you cannot be paid both at the same time.  If this happens, you'll be told that you have "underlying entitlement" to Carer's Allowance.  Underlying entitlement is the key that can unlock the door to other benefits that you might have been turned down for already or didn't know that you could get.

So which doors does underlying entitlement unlock?
 

1.         Extra Pension Credit - you might be able to get the carer addition added to your Pension Credit – this could mean up to £26.35 per week extra.  

2.         Pension Credit - even if you've been turned down before (because your income/savings are too high), you might be able to get it once you have underlying entitlement to Carer's Allowance. 

3.         Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit - help to pay council tax and rent - you might be able to get this if you have underlying entitlement to Carer's Allowance.
   

All these benefits depend on your income and savings levels.  

Example: 

Single person aged 65, in receipt of Basic State Pension of £84.25 with Savings of £40,000 would be eligible for the Savings State Pension Credit at a rate of £2.60 per week.

Add in Carers entitlement and the £2.60 increases to £13.14