Carer’s Allowance

If you provide care for someone, you may be eligible for additional financial support each week—even if you don’t identify as a caregiver. Your care matters – claim the support you deserve.

What is Carer’s Allowance?

Carer's Allowance is money for people who spend at least 35 hours a week providing regular care to someone who has a disability. You might not see yourself as a “carer” – but if you regularly help a loved one or friend who couldn’t manage daily life without your support, you are. Carer’s Allowance is the primary benefit recognising this vital role. The individual you are caring for must be entitled to a disability-related benefit, and in certain situations, this benefit may need to meet a specific payment threshold. Carer's Allowance is paid at £83.30 a week. The amount paid is usually increased each April.

You don’t need to be related to or living with the person you care for to qualify.

You can qualify for Carer’s Allowance whether you are in or out of work. However, you must not earn more than £196 a week. Eligibility for Carer’s Allowance is not dependent on your employment status, provided your weekly earnings do not exceed £196. Carer’s Allowance does not depend on National Insurance contributions and is not means-tested—meaning eligibility is unaffected by personal income or savings. However, your earnings may still impact your entitlement.

If you receive Carer’s Allowance (or qualify but cannot claim it due to Overlapping Benefit Rules), a Carer’s Premium/Additional Amount will be added to your existing benefits, such as:

  • Income Support

  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

  • Pension Credit

  • Housing Benefit

The allowance is typically considered full income when assessing eligibility for means-tested benefits.

Am I eligible for Carer’s Allowance?

You may qualify for Carer’s Allowance if you:

  • Provide at least 35 hours of care per week for someone who is ill or disabled (regardless of whether you live together).

  • Care for someone receiving one of these benefits:

    • Disability Living Allowance (middle or higher care rate)

    • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) daily living component (any rate)

    • Attendance Allowance (any rate)

    • Another qualifying disability-related benefit.

  • Earn no more than £196 weekly (after tax, National Insurance, and care-related deductions).

  • Are not enrolled in full-time education.

Carer’s Allowance provides an additional weekly payment to support you financially, which you can use as needed.

Important notes:

  • Your savings and National Insurance record do not affect eligibility.

  • Even if you’re unsure about qualifying due to savings, you can still apply.

For full eligibility details, visit GOV.UK’s Carer’s Allowance page.

How much Carer’s Allowance could I get?

Carer’s Allowance payments

  • Weekly rate: £83.30 (no extra payment for caring for multiple people).

  • Payment adjustments: Your final amount may vary depending on other benefits you receive.

If you claim State Pension:

  • If your State Pension is below £83.30 weekly, you can claim Carer’s Allowance to bring it up to this amount.

  • If your State Pension is above £83.30, you cannot receive Carer’s Allowance (as these are overlapping benefits).

  • Underlying entitlement: Even if unpaid due to overlapping rules, a successful claim ensures:

    • Extra support through means-tested benefits (e.g., Pension Credit, Housing Benefit).

    • National Insurance credits (if under State Pension age) to protect your future pension.

If you claim Universal Credit:

  • You may qualify for a carer element (additional payment) alongside your Universal Credit.

Key notes:

  • Savings do not affect eligibility.

  • Your National Insurance record is irrelevant to claims.

For details, visit:

How to claim Carer’s Allowance

How to Apply for Carer’s Allowance
You can claim Carer’s Allowance in three ways:

After submitting your claim:

  • You’ll receive a written decision confirming whether you’ve been approved and the start date of payments.

If your claim is denied:

Important:

  • Claiming Carer’s Allowance may impact the benefits of the person you care for. Check how their benefits could be affected before applying.

More Carer's Allowance Questions

  • Required Documentation for Your Claim

    • If employed: Submit your most recent payslip before your claim start date, plus any payslips received after that period.

    • If self-employed: Provide your business’s latest finalized accounts.

    Don’t delay applying if you lack these documents—submit your claim and provide evidence later.

  • Your claim begins on the date your application is received (either online or by the benefits office).

    Backdating: You can request payments for up to 3 months prior to your application date if you were eligible earlier. No explanation for the delay is required—mention this when applying.

    Advance Claims:

    • Apply up to 3 months before meeting eligibility criteria, useful if you:

      • Currently earn over £196 weekly but plan to reduce hours/stop working.

      • Anticipate meeting the 35-hour care requirement in the near future.

  • You must inform the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of any changes that could affect your eligibility or payment amount.

    How to report changes:

    • Online:

    • By phone:

      • Telephone: 0800 731 0297

        • Textphone: 0800 731 0317

        • Relay UK (for hearing/speech impairments): 18001 then 0800 731 0297

    Act promptly to avoid overpayments or penalties. Updates include changes to employment, income, care hours, or the cared-for person’s benefit status.

  • Carer's Allowance is usually paid on a Monday, either weekly in advance or once every 4 weeks in arrears.

  • Impact of Care Recipient’s Circumstances on Carer’s Allowance

    Hospital Stays (NHS-arranged):

    • If the person you care for is admitted to an NHS hospital, their qualifying benefit (e.g., PIP, DLA) stops after 4 weeks (or 12 weeks for disabled children under 16).

    • Your Carer’s Allowance will cease at the same time, as eligibility depends on them receiving this benefit.

    Care Home Admissions:

    • If the person moves into a care home with fees fully covered by NHS continuing healthcare or partially/full paid by the local authority, their benefits and your Carer’s Allowance will end after 28 days.

    Terminal Illness and Non-NHS Hospice Care:

    • If the person is terminally ill and the DWP is aware, their qualifying benefit may continue if they enter a non-NHS hospice.

    • You’ll still receive Carer’s Allowance if you provide 35+ hours of weekly care.

    Respite Care Planning:

    • Regular respite care can be scheduled to avoid disrupting benefits for the person you care for or your Carer’s Allowance. Seek advice to arrange this effectively.

    Key Actions:

    • Notify the DWP immediately of any changes.

    • Consult a benefits adviser or visit GOV.UK for tailored guidance.