UK households can get £4,331 from DWP with '35 hours rule'

UK households can get £4,331.60 per year from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if they meet a '35 hours' rule.

The DWP provides a weekly payment of £83.30 to people who look after someone else for at least 35 hours per week. So if you help someone out by doing their washing and cooking, take them to GP or hospital appointments, or help with other general household tasks, you could be entitled to some extra cash. Carer's Allowance is paid by the DWP every four weeks, so those who are eligible will get around £333.20 per month, or £4,331.60 per year.

You don't have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for, and you won't get paid extra if you look after more than one person.

To qualify, you must care for someone at least 35 hours per week, and they must be getting one of the following benefits:

• Personal Independence Payment - daily living component
• Disability Living Allowance - the middle or highest care rate
• Attendance Allowance
• Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• Constant Attendance Allowance at the basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Child Disability Payment - the middle or highest care rate
• Adult Disability Payment - daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate

And as the carer, there are certain criteria that you must meet to be eligible for the payment, which you can choose to get weekly in advance or every four weeks.

The DWP explains: "You need to spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone. This can include helping with washing and cooking, taking the person you care for to a doctor's appointment, helping with household tasks, like managing bills and shopping.

"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 £196 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses

If you live in Scotland, you need to apply for Carer Support Payment instead of Carer's Allowance."

If you share care responsibilities with another person then only one of you can claim the allowance. The DWP says you can still apply, but it will decide who should receive the benefit.

It's worth noting that Carer's Allowance can affect other benefits that you and the person you care for receive, and you will have to pay tax on it if your income is more than the Personal Allowance.

But for each week you get the allowance you'll automatically get National Insurance credits and you may also be able to apply for other support, including a Council Tax Reduction, Universal Credit if you're on a low income or unemployed, or Pension Credit.

You can apply for the benefit on the government website and you can backdate your claim by up to three months.