What is Carers Allowance?
Carer’s Allowance is the name of a benefit that some people who care for someone can get.
Carer’s Allowance is for people who do not get paid to care for the person.
If you care for someone, you might help them to:
- wash, dress or eat
- shop, cook or clean their house or flat
- manage money, make phone calls or go out.
Can I get Carers Allowance?
To get Carer's Allowance you must:
- live in England, Scotland or Wales.
- have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years.
- be 16 or over
- care for someone for 35 hours or more per week.
And you must not:
- earn more than £139 per week
- be in full time
education
Education is when you learn things. When you fill in a form to get a job, education means you write where you went to school, college or university.
- be studying for more than 21 hours per week.
Things to consider if you're thinking about applying for Carer's Allowance:
Carer’s Allowance is a taxable benefit and forms part of your taxable income.
If you claim Carer’s Allowance, it may affect some of your other benefits or some of the benefits of the person you care for.
You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.
If you get State
Pension
A pension is money you get when you are older to pay for the things you need. You can pay money into your pension when you are working so there is more money for when you are older.
or Pension Credit, you might not get Carer’s Allowance.
The person that you care for must get one of these benefits:
-
Personal Independence Payment
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is the name of a benefit that some people with a disability or health condition get. The money is to pay for extra help you might need to look after yourself and to get around. Some people who used to get
Disability Living Allowance
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is the name of a benefit that some people with a disability get. The money is to pay for extra help you might need to look after yourself and to get around. Disability Living Allowance is being replaced by a benefit called Personal
Independence
Independence means doing things on your own. Making your own choices.
Payment (PIP).
(DLA) now get PIP instead.
- daily living component - Disability Living Allowance - middle or highest care rate
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal
maximum
Maximum means the highest amount, or greatest value that something can be.
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
Eligibility criteria for claiming Carer's Allowance:
The full eligibility criteria for claiming Carer’s Allowance can be found on the government’s website.
This includes information about:
- if your earnings are sometimes more than £139 a week
- if someone else also cares for the person
- if you get State Pension
- if you get Pension Credit
What checks are needed to get Carer’s Allowance?
The Department for Work and Pensions
The Department for Work and Pensions is sometimes called the DWP. It is part of the government and manages payments and benefits like Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment,
Employment
Employment means having a job.
and Support Allowance, and Income Support.
(DWP) will need to check:
- how much money you earn
- the details of your course if you are a student
- how much you pay for your pension
- how much you pay for care for your children or the person you care for when you are at work
- which benefits you and the person you care for already get.
How to apply for Carer’s Allowance
It's easy to apply for Carer’s Allowance.
To find out how to apply for Carer’s Allowance, we have created a straightforward step-by-step digital guide to take you through the application process.
Frequently asked questions about Carer’s Allowance
Can I claim Carer’s Allowance?
To get Carer’s Allowance you must:
- live in England, Scotland or Wales
- have been in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years
- be 16 or over
- care for someone for 35 hours or more per week.
You must not:
- earn more than £139 per week
- be in full-time education
- be studying for 21 hours per week or more
The person that you care for must get one of these benefits:
- Personal Independence Payment - daily living component
- Disability Living Allowance - 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
- Child Disability Payment - the middle or highest care rate
- Adult Disability Payment - daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate
You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.
The full eligibility criteria for Carer’s Allowance can be found on the UK government website.
How much is Carer’s Allowance?
From April 2024 - March 2025, the weekly payment is £81.90.
Is Carer’s Allowance means-tested?
Carer’s Allowance is not based on your income or savings. However, your earnings may affect your entitlement.
Will I still get my other benefits if I get Carer's Allowance?
Carer’s Allowance may affect other benefits you get such as:
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
It may also affect benefits which the person you care for gets.
Visit the government’s website for information about how Carer’s Allowance affects other benefits.
How does Carer’s Allowance work with Universal Credit?
If you get Universal Credit and claim Carer’s Allowance, your Universal Credit payment will be reduced by an amount equal to your Carer’s Allowance payment.
If you get Carer’s Allowance and claim Universal Credit, your Carer’s Allowance payment will count towards the total of your monthly Universal Credit payment.
Can I work and claim Carer’s Allowance?
You can work and get Carer’s Allowance, as long as you spend at least 35 hours per week in your caring role.
You will not be eligible for Carer’s Allowance if you earn more than £139 a week after tax,
National Insurance
National Insurance is a type of tax. It is money that is taken out of the money you earn each month. You pay National Insurance so that you can get a pension when you are older.
and expenses.
How many hours per week do I need to care for someone to claim Carer’s Allowance?
You must care for someone for 35 hours or more per week.
Can I claim Carer’s Allowance if I am in full-time education?
No. You can not claim Carer’s Allowance if you are in full-time education or studying for 21 hours per week or more.
How do I apply for Carer’s Allowance?
You can apply for Carer’s Allowance online or by post. Read our How to apply for Carer’s Allowance page.
The information on this page is for
guidance
Guidance means being given clear instructions to be able to do something well.
only. Mencap hold no
responsibility
Responsibility is managing or being in charge of something.
for DWP processes, timescales, decisions, and service.