Thousands of carers warned they risk missing out on cash due to failed claims

Thousands of carers could be missing out on extra financial support due to issues over claiming carer's credits. These credits help boost an individual's state pension and help prepare for retirement.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimate there are an estimated 4.7 million unpaid carers in England and 310,000 in Wales. However, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by Quilter found just over 9,000 people claimed the credit in the 2023/24 tax year.

Furthermore, around six million people are claiming a number of benefits that make their carers eligible for credits. This includes Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and Disability Living Allowance.

Over the last five years, only 32,384 people have claimed the credit. The number of claimants may have also been skewed by the pandemic, which saw claims from 6,274 in 2019, to 5,338 in 2022.

According to the government, you must first be aged 16 or over and under the state pension age while looking after one or more people for at least 20 hours a week to be considered eligible for the credits. Meanwhile, the person you look after must claim one of the following:

However, you may still be able to receive carer's credits even if the person you're caring for doesn't get one of these benefits. The government advises those making a claim to fill in the 'Care Certificate' part of the application form and get a health or social care professional to sign it off.

In order to make a claim, you should download the Carer's Credit claim form online here. You can also receive the form by calling the Carer's Allowance Unit on 0800 731 0297