If your income is low and you do not have savings of more than £16,000, you may be able to claim universal credit to top up your income, See Chapters 14 to 19.

If you (and your partner, if you have one) have reached pension age, you will need to claim pension credit instead. See Chapter 45.

Carer amount and additional amount for carers – If you get universal credit and meet the qualifying conditions for carer’s allowance (or would do so but for the fact that your earnings are too high), a carer amount is included in your award (see Chapter 15(7)).

If you get pension credit and you or your partner are entitled to carer’s allowance, an ‘additional amount for carers’ is included in your award.