Carers Allowance
What is Carer's Allowance?
Carer's Allowance is a benefit for people who regularly spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone with substantial care needs.
You don't have to be related to the person you're caring for or be living with them. The person you're caring for must be getting a qualifying benefit (see the 'Do I qualify?' section below for a list).
You can qualify for Carer's Allowance even if you've never been employed or paid National Insurance contributions.
Carer's Allowance isn't affected by how much you have in savings. However, if you (the carer) receive a weekly income of £139 net or more, you won't qualify for Carer's Allowance. The benefit is also taxable.
You can get Carer's Allowance even if you, the carer, are disabled and getting Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Personal
Independence Payment (PIP) or the new Scottish Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
Carer's Allowance is not intended to be a wage for caring, or a payment for the services of caring.
If you claim Carer's Allowance, it can sometimes reduce the amount of means-tested benefits that the person you care for can claim. To find out more, contact Citizens Advice or another organisation that gives benefits advice, such as your local welfare rights group.
You can contact the Parkinson's UK helpline for information about organisations that can help.
Do I qualify for Carer's Allowance?
You must be 16 or over and spending 35 hours or more a week caring for someone who receives a 'qualifying benefit'. The qualifying benefits are:
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance care component at the middle or highest rate
- Personal Independence Payment daily living component (either rate)
- Adult Disability Payment (only in Scotland)
- Child Disability Payment (only in Scotland) – the middle or highest care rate
- Constant Attendance Allowance from either maximum Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit or full day rate of War Pension Disablement Benefit
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
You must also:
- be aged 16 or over at the time of your claim
- have been living in England, Scotland or Wales for 2 of the last 3 years (and your immigration status doesn't prevent you claiming)
- be 'habitually resident' in the UK (unless you are exempt. If you are unsure, you can contact our helpline for advice)
- not be in full-time education (which means you're not on an educational course of 21 hours or more supervised study a week)
- not earn more than £139 a week (after tax), if you're in paid employment
The rules are different in Northern Ireland – find out more.
In Scotland, young carers can claim the new yearly Young Carer's Grant of £359.65.
This is for carers who are aged 16-18, provide care for 16 hours a week or more, and don't receive Carer's Allowance. You can receive it if you're still in education, in work or unemployed.
How much is Carer's Allowance?
The weekly rate is £76.75.
Yes. You can't be paid Carer’s Allowance if you're getting the same amount or more from any of the following benefits:
- Contributory/new-style Employment and Support Allowance
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit
- Maternity Allowance
- State Pension
- Bereavement Allowance, Widow's Benefits or Widowed Parent's Allowance
- Contribution-based/new-style Jobseeker's Allowance
These benefits 'overlap', so you can only get the higher of the 2 benefits. If you can't be paid Carer's Allowance due to the overlapping benefits rule, you should still make a claim if you're eligible, because this will help with other benefits (see 'Why should I claim Carer's Allowance?' below).
We would like to acknowledge the use of information taken from the Parkinson's UK website.
