Carers credit

Rheumgirl59

My husband assists me during the week and does most of the jobs in the home. We were wondering about applying for carers credit for him but are unclear what actually qualifies for the 20 hours care. I get pip and am currently applying for new style esa. 

poppy123456

Any type of care and/or assistance qualifies him for carers credits providing your PIP includes daily living part. Does he work at all? If so and he already pays NI contributions then there's no point in him claiming carers credits.

If he doesn't work or you're on low income and you don't have savings/capital of more than £16,000 have you checked entitlement to Universal Credit? Entitlement will be based on your joint circumstances as you'll need to claim as a couple. Use a benefits calculator to check entitlement. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=90b5593e-9dda-4386-95cd-ec985b6e39ab

If you claim UC as well as ESA the ESA will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

Rheumgirl59

thank you. He works part time now because of taking redundancy when he needed to do more for his late mother. He earns a little more than the level for qualifying for carers allowance but not enough to pay national insurance. To be honest we will be pleased to get him the credits. Just concerned because he is not caring for me for 20 hours as a lot of it, not all, is taking care of household matters as I can’t. We don’t qualify for universal credit because we have savings. Topping up his state pension would be a great result but we don’t want to mislead. I get lower level pip on both parts.

poppy123456

The earnings limit for carers allowance is £132/week, if he's earning more than this then his NI credits will automatically be paid. Therefore there's no need for him to claim carers credits.

You do not pay National Insurance, but still qualify for certain benefits and the State Pension, if you’re either:

• an employee earning between £123 and £242 a week
• self-employed and your profits are between £6,725 and £11,908 a year

Your contributions are treated as having been paid to protect your National Insurance record.

https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance

calcotti

Rheumgirl59 said:

.. He earns a little more than the level for qualifying for carers allowance but not enough to pay national insurance.

He is therefore earning more than £123/week and is therefore treated as having paid Class 1 NI contributions even though he doesn’t actually pay anything.

Rheumgirl59

that’s good news thank you. I thought because he wasn’t paying it he wouldn’t get ni credit. Thank you so much.

calcotti

Rheumgirl59 said:

that’s good news thank you. I thought because he wasn’t paying it he wouldn’t get ni credit. Thank you so much.

To be exact - he is treated as having paid Class 1 NI contributions, which is more valuable than Class 3 NI carer credits.

Rheumgirl59

Brilliant thank you