In our Carers Strategy, published in June 2008, we set out our vision of the support we aim to provide for carers over the next 10 years. In developing our Carers Strategy, we conducted one of the most in-depth and widespread consultations ever held on carers’ issues. This included discussions with carers’ interest groups on a wide range of benefit issues.
People who have retired from work but continue to care for relatives are not excluded from claiming carer’s allowance. Although carer’s allowance will not usually be payable where state pension is in payment, the person can still access the carer premium, currently £27.75 a week, in the income-related benefits such as housing benefit and council tax benefit, or the equivalent additional amount for carers in pension credit. In addition, where someone would receive less from state pension than from carer’s allowance, an amount of carer’s allowance can be paid to make up the difference.