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How to apply for Carer's Allowance

A step-by-step digital guide to take you through the Carer’s Allowance application process. 

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How to claim Carer’s Allowance

The front cover of a leaflet about Carer's Allowance

Carer’s Allowance is the name of a benefit that some people who care for someone can get. 

A woman pushing someone in a wheelchair has a wage packet next to her with a red cross through it

Carer’s Allowance is for people who do not get paid to care for the person. 

A man searching for a webpage on a laptop sitting at a desk

To check if you could get this benefit read our Carer's Allowance page.

a webpage saying Click, a post box and an application form

To ask for Carer's Allowance you need to apply online or by post.

A man is reading a book with the word Instructions written on the front cover

This page tells you how to apply for Carer's Allowance.

A man on a phone and another man using a laptop

If you need support or more information about Carer's Allowance contact the Learning Disability Helpline.

Step 1: Check if you are eligible for 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  

You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.

Step 2: Make sure you have the right information to hand

You will need:

  • your name, address and telephone number 
  •  your date of birth  
  • your National Insurance number, if you have one (you can find this on letters about tax, pensions and benefits)  If you have a partner you will need their National Insurance number too.
  • your bank or building society account number and sort code (unless you get your State Pension)
  • your employment details and latest payslip if you’re working
  • your P45 if you’ve recently finished work
  • your 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 will need their:

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

Step 3: Get someone to help you if you want

If you want some help to apply for Carer’s Allowance, you can:  

  • ask someone you trust to help you    
  • ask a local organisation who helps people with their benefits  

Step 4: Fill in the Carer’s Allowance application form

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 can choose to be paid Carer's Allowance weekly or every 4 weeks.

You can backdate your claim by up to 3 months.

You can apply for Carer’s Allowance online or by post.   
 
Online: 
You can apply online on the government’s website. 
 
By post:
If you want to apply by post, you can find the Carer’s Allowance forms on the government’s website, or contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit to ask for a form by:

  • Phone: 0800 731 0297 
  • Textphone:  0800 731 0317 
  • Relay UK:  18001 then 0800 731 0297 
    Relay UK helps people who can not hear or speak on the phone.  

The Carer's allowance Unit is open Monday to Friday 8.00 – 6.00 

If you download the form from the government’s website , check that you have the correct one.  There is a separate claim form if you get a State Pension.  

Once you have downloaded your form, you can either print it out and fill it in with a black pen, or you can fill in the form digitally and then print it out. You can only complete the form on a laptop or desktop computer. You can not complete the form using a mobile phone or tablet.

If you can, take a copy or pictures of the completed form before you send it to the DWP.  

If you received a paper form from the DWP, you can use the envelope which came with the application form to return it.  Or send it to:
Carers Allowance Unit 
Mail Handling Site A 
Wolverhampton 
WV98 2AB 

Step 5:

You will be told whether your claim for Carer's Allowance has been successful.

If your Carer's Allowance application is successful, the money will be paid into the bank, building society or credit union account  you provided in your application.

Carer's Allowance is usually paid on a Monday.

Step 6: Unsuccessful Carer's Allowance applications

If your application for Carer’s Allowance is unsuccessful or you are unhappy with the outcome, you should contact the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) within one month of the date of decision to request a mandatory reconsideration.    
 
You can ask for a mandatory reconsideration over the phone, but we recommend that you do it in writing, so you have a record of your request.  If you need more time, contact the DWP and ask for an extension.   
 
If your mandatory reconsideration is unsuccessful, you have one month from the date of the mandatory reconsideration decision letter to appeal the decision. The appeal will be looked at by an independent tribunal.   
 
Visit the government’s website for more information if you want to ask for a mandatory reconsideration or request an appeal.  

Frequently asked questions

 

 

The information on this page is for guidance only. Mencap hold no responsibility for DWP processes, timescales, decisions, and service.

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