Spend time caring for someone else? You may be eligible for Carer's Allowance

This is a benefit for people who cannot work full-time because they are a carer. You do not have to be related to the person you care for.

Who can claim?

If you are aged 16+, earning less than £139 a week (after tax) and regularly spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who receives:

• Disability Living Allowance (care component at the middle or highest rate)
• Personal Independence Payment (daily living component at either rate) or
• Attendance Allowance.

Carer’s Allowance is paid at £76.75 per week and is treated as income for means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Housing or Council Tax Reduction. However, the rate will include a carer’s premium, which means that overall your income should increase.

Some benefits can’t be paid with Carer’s Allowance as they ‘overlap’. These include: New Style Employment and Support Allowance and State Retirement Pension. If you qualify for two or more of these benefits, you will get the one that pays the most. It is therefore advisable to get advice on how this will affect you.

Warning - Check before you claim:

Claiming Carer’s Allowance may affect the benefits received by the person you are caring for, so it is really important that you get advice before making a claim. You can check how making a claim may affect their and your benefits by contacting our Welfare Rights and Money Advice team.

Further information and how to make a claim for Carer's Allowance.