What is a Carer's Allowance?

If you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and they receive certain benefits, you may be eligible for a Carer’s Allowance of £67.60 a week. You do not have to be related to or living with the person you care for.

Below is a summary of the key information you need to know about a Carer’s Allowance.

To be eligible for a Carer’s Allowance, all of the following criteria must apply:

• you are aged 16 or over
• you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week
• you have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years (this does not apply if you are a refugee or have humanitarian protection status)
• you normally live in England, Scotland or Wales, or you are a member of the armed forces living abroad
• you are not in full-time education
• you are not studying for 21 hours a week or more
• you are not subject to immigration control
• your weekly earnings are less than £128 after tax, National Insurance and expenses

The person you care for must receive 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

Claiming a Carer’s Allowance can affect the other benefits that you and the person you care for receive. For example, you cannot get the full amount of both a Carer’s Allowance and state pension at the same time, and a Carer’s Allowance will stop the person you care for from getting a severe disability premium paid with their benefits or Pension Credit.

To find out more, visit: Carer's Allowance - Effect on other benefits (Gov.uk)

If you are not eligible for a Carer’s Allowance, you might still be eligible for Carer’s Credit. See: Carer's Credit (Gov.uk)