What is Carer's Allowance?
In simple terms: Carer's Allowance is a weekly payment for people who spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone with substantial care needs.
Carer's Allowance is one of the lowest benefits in the UK, despite the vital role carers play. However, it can also unlock other benefits and gives you National Insurance credits to protect your State Pension.
Who Can Claim Carer's Allowance?
You can claim Carer's Allowance if you meet ALL of these conditions:
It doesn't have to be 35 hours in one stretch
PIP (daily living), DLA (middle/higher care), Attendance Allowance, Armed Forces Independence Payment, or Constant Attendance Allowance
There's no upper age limit
That's about £7,852 per year net earnings
Full-time means 21 supervised hours or more per week
You Don't Have to Live Together
You don't need to live with the person you care for, and you don't need to be related to them. The care can take place at your home, their home, or elsewhere.
The £151 Earnings Limit
You can work and claim Carer's Allowance, but your net weekly earnings must be £151 or less. Here's what counts:
Deductions Allowed
- • Income tax
- • National Insurance
- • Half of any pension contributions
- • Some childcare costs (up to £195/week for 1 child, £335 for 2+)
- • Equipment needed for work
What Doesn't Count
- • Income from savings/investments
- • War Pension
- • Pension Credit
- • Working Tax Credit
- • One-off payments
Be Careful!
If you go even £1 over the £151 limit in any week, you lose all of that week's Carer's Allowance. Keep careful track of your earnings. Holiday pay, bonuses, or extra shifts can push you over.
Carer's Allowance and Other Benefits
Carer's Allowance has complex rules about how it interacts with other benefits:
"Overlapping benefits" rule
You can't usually receive Carer's Allowance at the same time as:
- • State Pension
- • Contribution-based JSA or ESA
- • Bereavement benefits
- • Incapacity Benefit
- • Maternity Allowance
You'll get whichever is higher. But even if you can't be paid CA, having "underlying entitlement" can still boost other benefits.
Benefits Carer's Allowance Can Boost
Even if you can't receive Carer's Allowance (due to overlapping benefits), being entitled to it can increase:
- ✓Universal Credit - You'll get the Carer Element (£198.31/month extra)
- ✓Pension Credit - You'll get the Carer Addition (£45.60/week extra)
- ✓Housing Benefit - You may get a carer premium
Effect on the Person You Care For
Important: When you receive Carer's Allowance, it can affect the benefits of the person you care for:
- •They may lose the Severe Disability Premium in their benefits
- •This could reduce their income by £76.40/week
- •Always check if claiming CA would make you both better or worse off overall
How to Claim Carer's Allowance
Apply Online (Quickest)
Claim at gov.uk/carers-allowance. You'll need your National Insurance number, bank details, and the National Insurance number of the person you care for.
By Post
Download form DS700 from GOV.UK, or call the Carer's Allowance Unit (0800 731 0297) to get one sent.
Backdating
Carer's Allowance can be backdated up to 3 months. Make sure you were eligible throughout that period.
Key Points to Remember
- ✓Must care for at least 35 hours a week
- ✓Person you care for must get a qualifying disability benefit
- ✓Can work, but earnings must be £151/week or less (after deductions)
- ✓Gives you National Insurance credits for your State Pension
- ✓Check how it affects the person you care for before claiming
- ✓Being entitled can boost other benefits even if you can't receive the payment