Carer Premium/Addition

The carer premium and addition are extra amounts used in the calculation of some means-tested benefits.

The carer premium is used in Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit and the carer addition is used in Pension Credit.

The carer premium/addition is included in your benefit calculations if you get Carers' Allowance or if you have ‘underlying entitlement’ to Carers' Allowance.

For every week Carers' Allowance is paid, you are credited with a National Insurance contribution. This helps to protect your entitlement to State Retirement Pension.

If you are a carer, but are not entitled to Carers' Allowance, you can claim Home Responsibilities Protection for every year you are a carer for at least 48 weeks.

Find out more

For more information about Home Responsibilities Protection contact The Pension Service on 0845 60 60 265 or your local Jobcentre Plus office.

If you live in Northern Ireland contact: the Disability and Carers Service, Castle Court, Royal Avenue, Belfast, BT1 1HR. Telephone: 028 9090 6186 or visit the Department for Social Development website www.dsdni.gov.uk for more information.