Temporary changes to Carer’s Allowance rules were announced last week by the DWP as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Carers will be able to continue to claim Carer’s Allowance if they have a temporary break in caring because they or the person they care for gets coronavirus or if they have to isolate because of it. Under normal rules there are restrictions on breaks in care, but these have been lifted.
Providing emotional support rather than just more traditional forms of care to a disabled person will also now count towards the Carer’s Allowance threshold of 35 hours of care a week.