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‘I'm a carer: what can I claim?’
> ‘What are my options if I am not entitled to Carer’s Allowance?’
>> ‘I am single, not in paid work, and am not planning to be in paid work (and I'm too young to get Pension Credit)’
Remember that if you are not getting Carer’s Allowance the advice on this page is only any use to you if one of the following applies to you:

The good news is that because you are classed as a carer, you are not expected to look for work, and therefore don’t have to be on Jobseeker's Allowance. In fact it is quite hard to get Jobseeker's Allowance if you’re also saying that you’re caring for someone, as this doesn’t fit with being available for and actively seeking work!

Now let’s look at each of the possible benefits…

Income Support


icon-warning1.jpgIf you are currently getting income based Employment and Support Allowance because you are unfit for work yourself think twice before ending this and claiming Income Support. This is because you are likely to be entitled to more Employment and Support Allowance than Income Support (this could be £29.05, £36.20, or even £51.95, depending on circumstances). The only main circumstance in which you will probably be better off moving to Income Support is if your partner claimed ESA on or after 3rd April 2017 and is in the work-related activity group, in which case they will not get any addition to the basic ESA rate.
You should still tell the Jobcentre Plus that you are now caring for someone, though, because you are obliged to tell them about any changes.

Housing Benefit


icon-warning1.jpgIf you were getting Housing Benefit before for some other reason (for example, getting Jobseeker's Allowance, or working and being on low income) you should tell the local authority (council) that your circumstances have changed, otherwise you will be getting Housing Benefit for the wrong reason, and may end up being asked to pay back an overpayment


Council Tax Support


icon-warning1.jpgIf you were getting Council Tax Support before for some other reason (for example, getting Jobseeker's Allowance, or working and being on low income) you should tell the local authority (council) that your circumstances have changed, otherwise you will be getting Council Tax Support for the wrong reason, and may end up being asked to pay back an overpayment

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