How Much Is Carers Allowance 2023 - 2023, All Five Oceans

Carer’s Allowance

Carer’s Allowance	Rates 2022/23 (£)	Rates 2023/24 (£)
Carer’s Allowance	69.70	76.75

Contents

1 Will carers allowance increase in 2023 UK?
- 1.1 How much is the carer’s allowance supplement in 2023?
- 1.2 Do you have to pay back carers allowance?
  - 1.2.1 Can I claim PIP and carers allowance?
2 Can I get carer’s allowance and Universal Credit?
3 What date does carers allowance go up?
4 Who can claim carer’s allowance in UK?
- - 4.0.1 How much is the carer allowance bonus?
5 What is the 300 carers grant?
- 5.1 How much is carers allowance UK 2023 24?
6 What is the average wage for a live in carer UK?
- 6.1 Is there an age limit to work as a carer in the UK?
- 6.2 How much is full carers allowance UK?
7 Has carers allowance been replaced?

Will carers allowance increase in 2023 UK?

Carer’s Allowance Increase 2023 – Carer’s Allowance has increased by £7.05 per week in 2023, from a total of £69.70 to £76.75. Over the course of a year, someone caring for a friend or family member could expect to see a total of £3,991 in a year, a 10.1% increase on the Carer’s Allowance rate in 2022.

How much is the carer’s allowance supplement in 2023?

How much is Carer’s Allowance Supplement? – Carer’s Allowance Supplement in 2023 is £270.50 – this is paid twice a year.

The first payment will be in June 2023. You’ll get this if you were eligible for Carer’s Allowance on 10 April 2023. The second payment is in December 2023. You’ll get this if you’re getting Carer’s Allowance on 9 October 2023.

It does not matter how much Carer’s Allowance you get – the amount of Carer’s Allowance Supplement is the same. If you’re due to be paid Carer’s Allowance Supplement, you’ll get a letter from Social Security Scotland before you receive it.

Will carers get extra money?

If you get any benefits based on your income – These are known as ‘means tested benefits’. Carer’s Allowance counts as income when these benefits are worked out. You get an extra amount of Universal Credit called a ‘carer element’ if you’re eligible for Carer’s Allowance – even if you don’t apply for Carer’s Allowance.

Pension Credit Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance Income-related Employment and Support Allowance Income Support Housing Benefit Council Tax Support

What is the minimum wage for carers 2023 UK?

Homecare Association Minimum Price for Homecare 2023-24 The Homecare Association has published its new calculation for the Minimum Price for Homecare of £25.95 per hour in England, effective from April 2023, when the National Living Wage increases to £10.42 per hour.

Our Minimum Price is the amount required to ensure the minimum legally compliant pay rate for careworkers (excluding any enhancements for unsocial hours working), their travel time, mileage, and wage-related on-costs. The rate also includes the minimum contribution towards the costs of running a care business which complies with quality requirements at a financially sustainable level.

Many homecare providers are paying headline rates above the National Living Wage to attract and retain careworkers in a tight and competitive labour market. We strongly believe that care work is highly skilled and should be fairly recognised and rewarded.

In this briefing, we report the equivalent fee rates required in England based on the Real Living Wage, NHS Band 3 with 2+ years’ experience, the London Living Wage and a competitive labour market wage rate needed in parts of the South of England. The Minimum Price is widely recognised within the social care and health sectors in all four UK administrations.

For the first time this year, we have produced separate reports and prices for each UK nation. We will continue to challenge central government on the overall funding of social care. It is, however, councils, the NHS and Health and Social Care Trusts (in Northern Ireland) that are responsible for determining the prices they pay for homecare services at a local level.

Will UK carers get extra money?

What is Carer’s Allowance? – If you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone with an illness or disability, you may be eligible for extra money called Carer’s Allowance. It is paid at a rate of £76.75 per week (2023/24),

Do you have to pay back carers allowance?

What is an overpayment? – An overpayment is when you receive more money for a month than the amount you should have been paid, usually for a certain benefit like Carer’s Allowance. When claiming a benefit like Carer’s Allowance, it’s important to remember you have a responsibility to keep the Carer’s Allowance Unit (Disability and Carers Service in Northern Ireland) informed of changes to your circumstances as these could affect your entitlement.

If you are overpaid a benefit like Carer’s Allowance when you are no longer eligible, you will lose the entire amount and have to pay it back.
The Department of Work and Pensions would need to recover the overpayment if they find this to be the case and you would be contacted and asked to pay the amount back.

Over time, the amount could add up quite significantly. This might be a new job, new earnings or a new pattern of work. It might also include breaks in caring. The earnings threshold is set at £139 (2023/24) per week after deductions. If the carer is even £1 over this limit, they lose 100% of their Carer’s Allowance which is currently £76.75 per week in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In Scotland it is worth more because of the Carer Supplement, but the overpayment rules are the same currently. Get a benefit check if you’re unsure about your circumstances and need an objective review. You can contact our Carers UK Helpline to request one at [email protected] Report any change in your circumstances however insignificant it may seem to you as they occur or as soon as possible.

Make sure that you provide accurate information and answer questions correctly when you make a claim. Contact the benefits office if anything looks wrong or there has been a duplication of payments. Notify the Department of Work and Pensions through the Carer’s Allowance Unit,

Can I claim PIP and carers allowance?

Frequently asked questions about PIP – PIP isn’t means-tested, so it doesn’t matter what your income or savings are. You can get PIP even if you’re working or studying. If you’re awarded PIP, you can spend it on whatever you want that makes life easier.

You don’t have to spend it on paying for care.
However, your local council or trust can take PIP into account when working out how much you need to pay for care services.
Getting PIP won’t reduce your other benefits.
In fact, it could even increase them.
See ‘What other help is available’ for more details.

For 2023/24, the weekly rates for PIP are as follows :

	Standard	Enhanced
Daily living	£68.10	£101.75
Mobility	£26.90	£71.00

You can claim PIP if all the following apply:

You have a long-term physical or mental illness or disability.
You’ve had difficulties with everyday tasks and/or moving around for at least three months before claiming, and expect them to continue for at least nine months after claiming.
You’re over 16 and under State Pension age (or you claim DLA and you’re being reassessed for PIP – see below).

You must also meet the residence and presence conditions, and immigration rules, See our guidance, If you’re a carer with an illness or disability, you can claim PIP for yourself and it won’t affect any Carer’s Allowance you’re receiving. You can’t make a new claim for PIP once you’ve reached State Pension age.

However, if you’re already claiming it, you can continue to receive it.) Note :  If you’re already claiming DLA, you do not need to take any action regarding your PIP re-assessment until you are told to do so by the Department of Work and Pensions or Department for Communities in Northern Ireland.
If you’re looking to make a new claim and you’ve reached State Pension Age, you could look into the possibility of claiming Attendance Allowance instead.

See our webpage Attendance Allowance explained for more information. If you’re terminally ill, there are simpler rules that make it easier to apply See our guidance, There are two parts to PIP :

Daily living – if you have difficulty with everyday tasks
Mobility – if you have difficulty getting around.

To qualify for PIP, you will have to score a certain number of points for each part, based on how hard you find it to carry out different activities. You can be awarded one or both parts, depending on how your illness or disability affects you. Daily living – what does this include? The activities are:

preparing or eating food
washing, bathing and using the toilet
dressing and undressing
reading and communicating
managing your medicines or treatments
making decisions about money
engaging with other people.

See our Personal Independence Payment factsheet for more detail (pages 5-11). Mobility – what does this include? The activities covered are:

Moving around – This relates to how easily you can move around without severe discomfort such as breathlessness, fatigue or pain.
Planning and following a journey – This relates to your mental or sensory ability to get around. The environment is also taken into consideration, looking at how crowds or loud noises might affect you for example.

See our Personal Independence Payment factsheet for more detail (pages 10-11). Adults can no longer make a new claim for DLA. If you were already receiving DLA when PIP was brought in, you may eventually be reassessed for PIP. When this happens will depend on your age and circumstances.

You don’t need to do anything, just wait for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) or PIP Centre in Northern Ireland to contact you about your PIP reassessment. Make sure you act as soon as you get a letter about being reassessed. If a child is claiming DLA, they will need to claim PIP once they reach 16 (unless they’re claiming DLA under special rules for terminal illness).

Step one : You can make an initial claim by calling the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) on 0800 917 2222 (textphone: 0800 917 7777). In Northern Ireland, call the PIP Centre on 0800 012 1573 (textphone: 0800 012 1574). Someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them.

If you find it difficult to use a phone, you can request a form by post,
It’s best to call up for a form, as it will be stamped with the date you called.
If your claim is successful, it will be paid from this date (as long as you return it within six weeks).
If you download a form and post it, your claim will start from the date it’s received.

Step two : The DWP or PIP Centre will check you’re eligible to claim. If so, you’ll be sent a form called ‘How your disability affects you.’ It comes with notes on how to fill it in. Step three : When you are ready to complete the form, also see our ‘ Tips for completing the form ‘ in the tab below to help.

It’s a long and detailed form so take your time to complete it – you don’t have to do it all in one go. Many applicants decide to ask for help from a local advice agency – you can find one on the Advicelocal website,
Look at the different activities and work out which ones are relevant to you. There is a section for ‘additional information’ where carers, friends or family could also provide details, unless you feel you’ve already covered everything. It might be worth asking a trusted friend or carer to take an overall look to make sure you don’t miss anything out.
Remember that what matters is that you need help with an activity, not that you’re already getting help. Point out any adjustments you’ve also already made to help.
Try keeping a diary for a week if you’re not sure how much help you need, or how long things take. This can be particularly useful if your condition changes.
If you’re applying for the mobility part, measure out how far you can walk and how long it takes you.
Evidence is important, so send in as much as you can with your claim form. This could include a report from a consultant, information from your doctor or support worker, or a statement from a carer, friend or relative.
The Citizens Advice website has useful advice on how to complete the form,
Keep a copy of your form and any evidence you send in. It will be useful during your assessment, or if you need to appeal.
You have a month to return the form. If you need longer, contact the DWP or PIP Centre to ask for an extension.
If you’re terminally ill, you won’t have to complete the ‘How your disability affects you’ form. Read Claiming a disability benefit if you’re terminally ill for more details.

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See our benefit adviser’s video tips for further guidance on how to complete the claim form. What happens next? Once the DWP or PIP Centre receives your form, they will decide whether you need a medical assessment before they can award you PIP. Most people will be asked to attend a face-to-face consultation with an independent, trained healthcare professional.

It’s a good idea to bring someone with you.
Make sure you attend, or your PIP claim will likely be rejected.
The Citizens Advice website has useful guidance on preparing for the assessment.
After the assessment, you’ll get a letter saying whether you can claim PIP and how much it will be.
If you’re awarded PIP, you’ll be regularly reassessed to see if your condition has changed.

If you’re terminally ill, the process is different – see our information page about disability benefits if you’re terminally ill, If you’re turned down, or awarded the standard rate when you think you should get the enhanced rate, you can question the decision.

Over 70% of PIP appeals are successful, so it’s worth challenging the decision.
See our page on challenging a benefits decision,
You need to tell the DWP (or Disability and Carers Service in Northern Ireland) as soon as possible if your condition or circumstances change, because this could affect your entitlement to PIP.

A change in your condition could include:

your illness or disability getting better or worse
changes to the level of help you need with daily living or mobility
going into a hospital or care home for more than 28 days (if you’re under 18 when you go into hospital, your PIP won’t be affected)
going into a hospice (if you’re terminally ill and receive PIP under special rules (link to terminal illness page), your claim won’t be affected).

If you’re paid the lower rate of PIP for either part and the help you need increases, you can contact the DWP (Disability and Carers Service in Northern Ireland) and ask for your case to be looked at again. Be aware there is always a risk that your benefit could be decreased rather than increased, so it’s a good idea to get help from a local advice agency first.

going abroad for more than 13 weeks
changing your name, address or bank details
going into prison.

These are just a few examples of changes that could affect your PIP. If you’re not sure if a change affects your PIP, report it to the DWP or Social Security Agency anyway. An increase in means-tested benefits? Getting PIP could mean an increase in any means-tested benefits or tax credits you receive, or that you are eligible for them for the first time.

If you’re responsible for a child who is awarded PIP, this could also mean an increase in your means-tested benefits or tax credits.
Contact the offices that pay these benefits to find out more.
Find out what benefits you’re entitled to and how much you should be getting by doing an online benefits check, or arrange one with one of our advisers at [email protected] (specifying where you are based in the UK as guidance varies by nation).

You can get an online benefit check by visiting either:

entitled to
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Exemption from the benefit cap The benefit cap is a limit on the total amount of benefit your household can receive. Getting PIP means your household won’t be affected by the benefit cap. Help with transport costs There are different ways that getting PIP may cut your transport costs.

Motability. If you get the enhanced rate mobility part of PIP, you may be able to apply to the Motability scheme. This lets you use the mobility part to rent or buy a car, wheelchair or scooter. You may also qualify for a grant to pay for driving lessons or for a deposit for a car. Contact Motability to find out more.

Blue Badge scheme. The Blue Badge scheme helps you park closer to your destination if you have difficulty walking. For example, a Blue Badge lets you park free at parking meters and in pay and display areas. Depending on the number of points you receive in the mobility part of PIP, you may be eligible for a Blue Badge.

Contact your local council or trust for further information.
Exemption from road tax.
You may not have to pay road tax if you get the enhanced mobility rate of PIP.
If you get the standard mobility rate, you may get a 50% discount on your road tax.
Visit GOV.UK for how to apply.
Money off train travel,
You can buy a Disabled Person’s Railcard to cut train fares for you and a friend.

Call 0345 605 0525 or visit the Disabled Persons Railcard website, This isn’t available in Northern Ireland. Help with the cost of public transport. You may be eligible for public transport concessions if you receive PIP. Eligibility is different depending on where you live in the UK.

Contact the following for more information.
England : Contact your local council,
Wales Visit the Transport for Wales website or call them on 0300 303 4240 Scotland : Contact Transport Scotland on 0141 272 7100 or your local authority.
You may also be entitled to a Companion Card, allowing someone to travel with you for free.

Northern Ireland : Contact Translink on 0845 600 0049 or your local trust.

Can I get carer’s allowance and Universal Credit?

If you’ve reached State Pension age – If you get Pension Credit, your payments will increase if you’re eligible for Carer’s Allowance. If you delay claiming your State Pension, this could increase the State Pension payments you get when you decide to claim it. You cannot build up extra State Pension during any period you get Carer’s Allowance.

What date does carers allowance go up?

The carer’s allowance will increase by 10.1 per cent from April 2023. The rate will increase from £69.70 to £76.75 per week. Some people receive their payment once a week, while others will receive them every four weeks. Your next payment due in April should be at the increased rate.

Who can claim carer’s allowance in UK?

Your eligibility – All of the following must apply:

you’re 16 or over you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone you’ve been in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years (this does not apply if you’re a refugee or have humanitarian protection status) you normally live in England, Scotland or Wales, or you live abroad as a member of the armed forces (you might still be eligible if you’re moving to or already living in an EEA country or Switzerland ) you’re not in full-time education you’re not studying for 21 hours a week or more you’re not subject to immigration control your earnings are £139 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses

If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you and your family usually also need settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to get Carer’s Allowance. The deadline to apply to the scheme was 30 June 2021 for most people, but you might still be able to apply.

How much is the carer allowance bonus?

Carer Supplement is an annual payment of $600 for each eligible payment you get. You’ll get this on top of your regular payment.

What is the 300 carers grant?

Carer’s one-off payment scheme extended to help recognise and support local people looking after loved ones Following a public consultation with over 200 responses, we have agreed to extend our carer’s one-off payment scheme, helping to recognise Barnsley’s unpaid carers and support them in their caring role.

From April, one-off payments will be awarded following a carer’s assessment with our Adult Social Care team.
We hope this change will allow more unpaid carers to have in-depth conversations about the impact of their caring role and how we can help them access support in their communities.
We worked closely with partners and local people looking after loved ones to inform the scheme’s new approach.

We want to thank all the carers who had their say on our one-off payments, telling us about the difference they make in their caring role. Your feedback showed how popular the scheme is, which is why we will be keeping the same eligibility criteria. Unpaid carers can access small one-off payments of up to £300 once a year which they can use to help them in their caring role.

You can see how some of our carers used their payments on,These one-off payments are one of the ways we will achieve our Carers’ Strategy ambitions and help recognise the vital role carers play in our communities.Launched last year, sets out our vision to support more unpaid carers in our communities, making sure they have all the information and advice they need.We worked closely with carers of all ages to develop the strategy, listening to their experiences to find out where they feel supported and where they face challenges.

Councillor Jenny Platts, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place Health and Adult Social Care, said: “We believe everyone in Barnsley should have the best possible chance of enjoying life in good physical and mental health. Our carers play a vital role in our communities, which is why I’m delighted we can continue recognising all their hard work through our one-off payments scheme.

By linking the payments to our Adult Social Care team, we hope to encourage more carers to come forward to get the support they need and achieve what matters most to them. Whether you look after a loved one, friend or neighbour, support is always available. Visit to find out how we can help you.” Carer’s assessments are your chance to discuss how your caring duties affect you and what support you might need to look after others.

You can learn more about and on, Alternatively, call 01226 773300 to start your assessment or ask for any advice. : Carer’s one-off payment scheme extended to help recognise and support local people looking after loved ones

How much is carers allowance UK 2023 24?

For April 2023-2024, Carer’s Allowance is worth £76.75 per week and is usually paid every 4 weeks.

What is the average wage for a live in carer UK?

What is the salary of a live-in carer? – Live-in care is when the carer lives in the home with the person they are caring for and provide care whenever is required. This is what makes it the most comprehensive care. Live-in care gives our clients the advantage of full-time care and companionship within their home 24 hours a day.

Live-in carers will work with the clients and their families if necessary to support them in their daily routines.
Private live-in care, as any care enables people to stay in their home for as long as possible.
As live-in care is the most comprehensive care option, many of our clients build up to it and live in care tends to be the step before going to a care residence.

On average, live-in carer pay rates are between £100 and £140 gross per day. This can vary depending on a variety of factor such as experience, the type of care required and if any specific additional languages are required. The salary range is provided as gross pay, this is because as a live-in carer, you may decide that you would prefer to be considered self-employed and therefore will be responsible for paying your tax and National Insurance contributions.

However, if you do not want to be responsible for your own tax and National Insurance contributions, then you can be considered employed by the client. This would mean that they are responsible for paying your National Insurance and tax contribution, but they would be paying you a net salary which would most likely be less than that stated earlier.

If you are working as a live-in carer and you are working for a client that requires more specialised care due to a disability or an illness that is progressively getting worse, you are able to request a higher salary. This is because typically you will be required to have more hands-on experience as a carer as well as experience with the issue that requires speciality care.

Especially as a private live-in carer operating within the clients home, it is essential that you have the experience and expertise to properly care for your client. On average, a live-in carer working with a client with specialist care needs is able to ask for up to £160 gross per day, however, it is not unheard of for live-in carers to be paid more than that.

Again it depends on the experience and qualifications of the carer as well as the type of care that is required. The minimum wage of a live-in carer is inline with the National minimum wage or London minimum wage if you are based in London. Minimum wage is only applicable if you are aged between 21 and 25 years old, otherwise, you will qualify for the National living wage which is slightly higher than the minimum wage.

Living and minimum wage typically increase each year, but as it stands the minimum wage for the UK is currently £7.70 per hour and the living wage for the UK is currently £8.21 per hour, in London, the living wage is again slightly higher at £10.55 per hour. It is not recommended if you are starting out your caring career and wanting to get into live-in care with no previous experience.

This is not to say that you will not be able to get into live-in care eventually but you will need to build up your experience beforehand. There are a few different ways that you can build up your experience as a carer when you are first starting out.

One of which is volunteering at a charity that specialises in adult and elderly care. This will expose you to a range of different situations and conditions that you will be dealing with as a full-time carer but with the support of staff around who are more experienced and can show you the best ways in which you can assist.

Other ways you can build up your experience is by registering with a domiciliary care agency and taking courses that will provide you with an in-depth knowledge of different conditions and debilitating illnesses.

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Is there an age limit to work as a carer in the UK?

Minimum carer age | Social Care QA’s at QCS We use cookies to make our website work better and improve your online experience. By continuing to browse this website you accept the use of cookies, Sheila Scott OBE is the former CEO of National Care Association (NCA). Before running NCA, Sheila was a long time nursing professional and the owner and manager of a care business. Before retiring, Sheila served as one of our care experts and answered thousands of questions on running a successful and compliant care business While Sheila herself no longer answers questions, our team of former-frontline workers is standing by to answer any question you might have.

Minimum carer age

01st September 2015 How old do you have to be to become a carer?

Dear Bernie,
There are no special requirements regarding the age that people have to be before they work in an adult social care but there are some general rules for under 18 year olds which are,
The person that you employ should therefore be in:

Full-time education, e.g. at a school or college
An apprenticeship or trainee-ship
Part-time education or training – as well as being employed, self-employed or volunteering for 20 hours or more a week

You would, I am sure, want the young person you were considering employing to be undertaking an apprenticeship. You would also need to assess carefully at what stage you are happy for the young person to be delivering personal care unsupervised but there is no reason whatsoever why a 17 year old should not be delivering personal care providing you are satisfied that they are competent to do so.

This is entirely a management decision. I am sure that most of us know someone who started work in a care home as a 16 year old and is now a Registered Manager. However, if any regulator visited your premises and found it entirely staffed by very young staff then they would rightly be concerned about whether or not you had the right staff mix and levels of experience amongst your staff.

Each member of staff that you employ needs to be interviewed, assessed and employed in their own right. You would clearly have responsibilities towards the young person as well as service users so I would also advise you to consider whether any risk assessments need to be undertaken.

Sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, competent, skilled and experienced persons must be deployed in order to meet the requirements of this Part.

Persons employed by the service provider in the provision of a regulated activity must—
1. Receive such appropriate support, training, professional development, supervision and appraisal as is necessary to enable them to carry out the duties they are employed to perform
2. Be enabled where appropriate to obtain further qualifications appropriate to the work they perform, and
3. Where such persons are health care professionals, social workers or other professionals registered with a health care or social care regulator, be enabled to provide evidence to the regulator in question demonstrating, where it is possible to do so, that they continue to meet the professional standards which are a condition of their ability to practise or a requirement of their role.

There is also good guidance from CQC on their website
Best wishes, Sheila
*All information is correct at the time of publishing.

Maintaining CQC policies that change constantly is stressful and time-consuming work. And it’s even worse if you are using outdated paper records that aren’t recommended by the CQC. It doesn’t have to be that way Quality Compliance Systems is a digital software solution that automatically produces and updates your policies — instantly. 1,069 reviews on Without QCS we wouldn’t have been rated as an ‘outstanding’ service Rupert Stocks – Registered Manager, Guyatt House Sheila Scott OBE has now retired and over the years, prior to her retirement she has answered thousands of your social questions. You can still access the many questions below. For Sheila Scott OBE as the former CEO of National Care Association (NCA), care is Sheila’s life.

She possesses a strong command of the issues facing the care sector informed by her long career as a nursing professional, the owner and manager of a care business, and as a leader in the care sector.
Please do get in touch with our team of specialists if you can’t see an answer to the question you may have and we will be happy to help.

Here at QCS we have an extensive panel of specialists with a wide range of knowledge and experience so don’t worry if you have a social care question you are struggling to find the answer to, our team are here to help.

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How much is full carers allowance UK?

You could get £76.75 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits, You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for. You do not get paid extra if you care for more than one person. If someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance.

How much is a full time carer in UK?

How much does a live in carer cost for the elderly in the UK – We often get asked, “how much do live-in carers cost?” There is no easy answer to this. If you, or a loved one, do want 24 hour private live in carer then the care fees can range widely. So how much does a live-in carer cost per week? Typically, 24 hour live in care costs, from well-rated providers in the UK, can start at around £800 per week and can go up to over £1,800 per week.

This care cost will rise if two or more people need caring for at the same time.
The cost of live in care is this price because you are effectively hiring someone 24 hours a day for 7 days a week.
This caregiver may then take on the role that other family members had undertaken and provide round the clock support for you or your loved one.

What you will find is that the costs can also vary depending on the types of services that you want from your carer. For example, some professional carers have their own cars, which they can make available. However, if you want the carer to make their car available then there may be an extra cost for this.

If you need a live-in nurse the costs are often higher as you need a specialist carer.
The nurse may be responsible for providing medication or undertaking specific medical tasks which require professional training.
The need for constant care is what typically increases the cost of a live in nurse, but it does mean any medical condition can be cared for.

Depending on your requirements for 24 hour live in care, it is often less expensive than a nursing home. Because the cost of a live in carer is less, we are seeing more demand for this and fewer people are looking to move into residential care. One reason the 24 hour in home care cost is often cheaper than going into a residential care home is that you aren’t renting a room from the care home.

Instead, you continue to live in your own house and will provide accommodation to the domiciliary care worker. It is important to determine your budget and the cost of care at home before embarking on choosing live in care. You can find support on financing care and calculating the cost of your live in nursing care in the UK here in our paying for care section,

It is also worth noting that if you’d like to access senior live in care as a couple, it may be a significantly more cost-effective option compared with a nursing home. The cost of own home care would be lower for couples in these circumstances because you’ll only pay once for the care service.

How much do carers earn in the UK per month?

Caregiver Salaries

Job Title	Salary
Nurseplus Caregiver salaries – 31 salaries reported	£16/hr
Independent People Caregiver salaries – 31 salaries reported	£2,840/mo
Care At Home Services Caregiver salaries – 25 salaries reported	£12/hr
NHS Caregiver salaries – 24 salaries reported	£23,462/yr

Can I claim PIP and carers allowance?

You don’t have to spend it on paying for care. However, your local council or trust can take PIP into account when working out how much you need to pay for care services. Getting PIP won’t reduce your other benefits. In fact, it could even increase them. See ‘What other help is available’ for more details.

For 2023/24, the weekly rates for PIP are as follows :

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	Standard	Enhanced
Daily living	£68.10	£101.75
Mobility	£26.90	£71.00

You can claim PIP if all the following apply:

You have a long-term physical or mental illness or disability.
You’ve had difficulties with everyday tasks and/or moving around for at least three months before claiming, and expect them to continue for at least nine months after claiming.
You’re over 16 and under State Pension age (or you claim DLA and you’re being reassessed for PIP – see below).

(However, if you’re already claiming it, you can continue to receive it.) Note :  If you’re already claiming DLA, you do not need to take any action regarding your PIP re-assessment until you are told to do so by the Department of Work and Pensions or Department for Communities in Northern Ireland. If you’re looking to make a new claim and you’ve reached State Pension Age, you could look into the possibility of claiming Attendance Allowance instead.

See our webpage Attendance Allowance explained for more information. If you’re terminally ill, there are simpler rules that make it easier to apply See our guidance, There are two parts to PIP :

Daily living – if you have difficulty with everyday tasks
Mobility – if you have difficulty getting around.

preparing or eating food
washing, bathing and using the toilet
dressing and undressing
reading and communicating
managing your medicines or treatments
making decisions about money
engaging with other people.

See our Personal Independence Payment factsheet for more detail (pages 5-11). Mobility – what does this include? The activities covered are:

Moving around – This relates to how easily you can move around without severe discomfort such as breathlessness, fatigue or pain.
Planning and following a journey – This relates to your mental or sensory ability to get around. The environment is also taken into consideration, looking at how crowds or loud noises might affect you for example.

You don’t need to do anything, just wait for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) or PIP Centre in Northern Ireland to contact you about your PIP reassessment. Make sure you act as soon as you get a letter about being reassessed. If a child is claiming DLA, they will need to claim PIP once they reach 16 (unless they’re claiming DLA under special rules for terminal illness).

If you find it difficult to use a phone, you can request a form by post,
It’s best to call up for a form, as it will be stamped with the date you called.
If your claim is successful, it will be paid from this date (as long as you return it within six weeks).
If you download a form and post it, your claim will start from the date it’s received.

It’s a long and detailed form so take your time to complete it – you don’t have to do it all in one go. Many applicants decide to ask for help from a local advice agency – you can find one on the Advicelocal website,
Look at the different activities and work out which ones are relevant to you. There is a section for ‘additional information’ where carers, friends or family could also provide details, unless you feel you’ve already covered everything. It might be worth asking a trusted friend or carer to take an overall look to make sure you don’t miss anything out.
Remember that what matters is that you need help with an activity, not that you’re already getting help. Point out any adjustments you’ve also already made to help.
Try keeping a diary for a week if you’re not sure how much help you need, or how long things take. This can be particularly useful if your condition changes.
If you’re applying for the mobility part, measure out how far you can walk and how long it takes you.
Evidence is important, so send in as much as you can with your claim form. This could include a report from a consultant, information from your doctor or support worker, or a statement from a carer, friend or relative.
The Citizens Advice website has useful advice on how to complete the form,
Keep a copy of your form and any evidence you send in. It will be useful during your assessment, or if you need to appeal.
You have a month to return the form. If you need longer, contact the DWP or PIP Centre to ask for an extension.
If you’re terminally ill, you won’t have to complete the ‘How your disability affects you’ form. Read Claiming a disability benefit if you’re terminally ill for more details.

It’s a good idea to bring someone with you.
Make sure you attend, or your PIP claim will likely be rejected.
The Citizens Advice website has useful guidance on preparing for the assessment.
After the assessment, you’ll get a letter saying whether you can claim PIP and how much it will be.
If you’re awarded PIP, you’ll be regularly reassessed to see if your condition has changed.

Over 70% of PIP appeals are successful, so it’s worth challenging the decision.
See our page on challenging a benefits decision,
You need to tell the DWP (or Disability and Carers Service in Northern Ireland) as soon as possible if your condition or circumstances change, because this could affect your entitlement to PIP.

A change in your condition could include:

your illness or disability getting better or worse
changes to the level of help you need with daily living or mobility
going into a hospital or care home for more than 28 days (if you’re under 18 when you go into hospital, your PIP won’t be affected)
going into a hospice (if you’re terminally ill and receive PIP under special rules (link to terminal illness page), your claim won’t be affected).

going abroad for more than 13 weeks
changing your name, address or bank details
going into prison.

If you’re responsible for a child who is awarded PIP, this could also mean an increase in your means-tested benefits or tax credits.
Contact the offices that pay these benefits to find out more.
Find out what benefits you’re entitled to and how much you should be getting by doing an online benefits check, or arrange one with one of our advisers at [email protected] (specifying where you are based in the UK as guidance varies by nation).

You can get an online benefit check by visiting either:

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Motability.
If you get the enhanced rate mobility part of PIP, you may be able to apply to the Motability scheme.
This lets you use the mobility part to rent or buy a car, wheelchair or scooter.
You may also qualify for a grant to pay for driving lessons or for a deposit for a car.
Contact Motability to find out more.

Contact your local council or trust for further information. Exemption from road tax. You may not have to pay road tax if you get the enhanced mobility rate of PIP. If you get the standard mobility rate, you may get a 50% discount on your road tax. Visit GOV.UK for how to apply. Money off train travel, You can buy a Disabled Person’s Railcard to cut train fares for you and a friend.

Contact the following for more information.
England : Contact your local council,
Wales Visit the Transport for Wales website or call them on 0300 303 4240 Scotland : Contact Transport Scotland on 0141 272 7100 or your local authority.
You may also be entitled to a Companion Card, allowing someone to travel with you for free.

Northern Ireland : Contact Translink on 0845 600 0049 or your local trust.

Has carers allowance been replaced?

Carer’s Allowance due to start being replaced by new payment before end of this year. A full rollout of the new benefit is expected to begin across Scotland in Spring 2024.

Skye Skinner