Home Carer's Allowance

About Home Carer’s Allowance

Home Carer’s Allowance is for carers of working age who spend 35 hours (or more) per week caring for someone who requires a very high level of personal care.

The allowance is designed for carers who can't work full time or who have to substantially reduce their working week because of their caring commitments.

Carers may have their contribution record protected with credits so that they do not lose their own right to future Social Security benefits.

Taxes and Home Carer’s Allowance

You must tell the Income Tax Department the amount of Home Carer’s Allowance you receive each year as the allowance is taxable.

Amount of Home Carer’s Allowance

The Home Carer’s Allowance is currently £1,132.04 and is paid every 4 weeks.

Qualifying for Home Carer’s Allowance

You are likely to qualify for Home Carer’s Allowance if:

the person you are caring for has been assessed as needing a high level of personal care
you are below Social Security pension age
you spend at least 35 hours caring for the person
you have a contribution record totalling at least 6 months contributions and you have a full contribution record for at least one month during the previous quarter but one before your entitlement to Home Carer’s Allowance first arises or you have a married woman’s election
the cared for person has been living in Jersey for the last 12 months

Home Carer’s Allowance can't be paid at the same time as other benefits, for example maternity allowance, incapacity benefit or old age pension.

How to claim Home Carer's Allowance

As the carer, you must complete and return the Home Carer’s Allowance claim form along with your birth certificate or a certified copy.

You should make your claim as soon as you think you meet the conditions. Don't delay in sending in the claim, even if you can't send your birth certificate.

Assessment of the person you care for

The person you are caring for must be assessed by the Social Security Department as needing the highest level of personal care.

The person you are caring for will need to submit an impairment claim form at the Customer Hub.

Social Security will also need to see an original (or certified copy) birth certificate for the person you are caring for.

Finding out if your claim is successful

We will write to you telling you about the decision on your claim and can tell you what to do if you're not happy with the decision.

Working and claiming Home Carer’s Allowance

You can work and claim Home Carer's Allowance providing you:

still spend at least 35 hours a week caring for the person
the carer must not undertake paid work for an aggregate period in excess of 15 hours in a relevant week

Pensions and claiming Home Carer’s Allowance

A carer can't receive Home Carer’s Allowance at the same time as the Social Security old age pension.

If you're entitled to Home Carer’s Allowance and have reached state pension age, you can choose to receive whichever is more favourable to you.

Claiming Home Carer's Allowance and Income Support

If you claim income support and start claiming Home Carer's Allowance, your income support will be reduced by the amount of your Home Carer's Allowance award. This is because Home Carer's Allowance is considered as income.

Changes in your circumstances

You must tell us immediately if:

you stop looking after the person or you no longer spend 35 hours a week caring for that person
the person you are caring for no longer needs a very high level of personal care
the person you are caring for goes into hospital or any other accommodation provided wholly or mainly at public expense (this could be in Jersey or in the UK or elsewhere)
the person you are caring for goes into respite care (this could be in Jersey or in the UK or elsewhere)
you or the person you are caring for change address
you or the person you are caring for leave the Island, including holidays
your earnings from employment or self employment increase
you are considering taking on part time work or adding to your hours
the person you are caring for dies

Other financial help for carers

Carers can also receive Income Support, which will depend on income, savings, assets and personal circumstances.

If you think you may qualify for Income Support, contact us.

Income Support