Carers Allowance

You could get £67.25 per week if you care for someone at least 35 hours per week and they already get one of these 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

If someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance.

Each year all benefits are subject to uprating in April, this means the amounts paid are increased. Please check Gov.uk (opens link in new window)

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

To be eligible for this benefit 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) (opens link in new window)
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 (opens link in new window)
your earnings are £128 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses

If your earnings are sometimes more than £128 a week you might still be eligible for Carer’s Allowance. Your average earnings may be calculated to work out if you’re eligible.

Carer’s Allowance can affect the other benefits that both you and the person you care for get. Please visit Gov.uk (opens link in new window)to understand what this means.

With any award of Benefit you must report any changes of your circumstances as soon as they change.

To make an application please apply online (opens link in new window). If you cannot apply online you can apply by post (opens like in new window)and the address where to send your application is at the end of the form.

Before you apply make sure you have your:

National Insurance number (if you have a partner you’ll need theirs too)
Bank or building society details (unless you get your State Pension)
Employment details and latest payslip if you’re working
P45 if you’ve recently finished work
Course details if you’re studying
Details of any expenses, for example pension contributions or the cost of caring for your children or the disabled person while you’re at work

You also need details of the person you care for. You need their:

Date of birth and address
National Insurance number if they’re 16 or over
Disability Living Allowance reference if they’re under 16

You can backdate your claim by up to 3 months.

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Last updated: 21/12/2023