60,000 more DWP claimants to get £82 in their bank account every week

Following changes to earnings eligibility, more individuals will now be eligible to claim a crucial DWP benefit. The Government confirmed changes around the Carer's Allowance and support for caring for sick, disabled, and elderly loved ones, in the Budget.

The earnings limit allowing someone to claim will rise to the equivalent of 16 hours at the minimum wage. This will allow more people to claim the money needed to help care for a relative.

This means the new cut-off point for claiming a Carer's Allowance will be £196 a week. The support is currently worth £81.90 a week.

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It's the biggest rise to the allowance in almost 50 years. The allowance is open to full-time unpaid carers who provide care for at least 35 hours a week to help them with associated costs and give them some breathing space.

It was one of the measures announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves at the Budget on Wednesday. The changes mean around 60,000 more carers will be eligible for help.

The Government said the changes would ease concerns for unpaid carers, allowing them to work longer hours and improve their own fortunes without having to worry about the prospect of having their allowance taken away.

Ms Reeves announced: "I have heard representations from colleagues across this house about the Carer's Allowance and the impact of the current policy on carers looking to increase the hours they work. Carer's Allowance currently provides up to £81.90 per week to those with additional caring responsibilities.

"Today, I can confirm that we are increasing the weekly earnings limit to the equivalent of 16 hours at the National Living Wage per week - the largest increase since Carer's Allowance was introduced in 1976. That means a carer can now earn over £10,000 a year while receiving Carer's Allowance, allowing them to increase their hours where they want to and keep more of their money."

Helen Walker, chief executive at Carers UK, expressed her approval to the Guardian: "This is a vital poverty prevention measure helping many carers, particularly women, stay in the labour market. It will help to put much-needed cash into the pockets of working carers who do so much to look after their disabled, ill, and older relatives."