Carer’s Allowance is worth £76.75 per week and is usually paid every four weeks. You don’t have to be related to or live with the person you care for to claim Carer’s Allowance. It’s extra money each week for you to use as you want or need to.
You’ll also get National Insurance credits each week towards your pension if you’re under pension age. You could be eligible if you:
- Spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a disabled person (you don’t have to live with them or be related to them).
- Care for someone who receives the higher-rate or middle-rate care component of Disability Living Allowance, either rate of Personal Independence Payment daily living component, or any rate of Attendance Allowance.
- If you do not earn more than £129 a week (after deductions).
- Are not in full-time education.
If you get the State Pension you won’t be paid Carer’s Allowance. However still make a claim, because if you’re eligible then you could be awarded extra Pension Credit or Housing Benefit instead.
- If you’re claiming Universal Credit, you may be able to get an extra amount because of your caring role without actually applying for Carer’s Allowance. This is known as a carer element.
- You won’t be paid extra if you care for more than one person.
- When you claim Carer’s Allowance your other benefits may be reduced, but your total benefit payments will usually either go up or stay the same.
- Carer’s Allowance doesn’t count towards the benefit cap.
- If you get Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit, you must contact the Tax Credits office to tell them about Carer’s Allowance claim.
If in doubt, you should always make a claim for Carer’s Allowance as this might also allow you to get extra amounts in other benefits such as the guarantee credit part of Pension Credit.
Always check with the person you are caring for before you make a claim for Carer’s Allowance as they may lose some of the benefit they get, such as a severe disability addition, if you make a claim.
You may also be able to save money on day-to-day expenses with our money saving tips for pensioners.
How to claim Carer’s Allowance
Call the Carer’s Allowance Unit on 0800 731 0297 or visit gov.uk/carers-allowance to make a claim online.
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