Carer's Allowance

Overview

Carer's Allowance is a weekly benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for people in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland who spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who is themselves in receipt of a qualifying disability benefit (such as Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, or Disability Living Allowance at middle or highest care rate). The carer does not need to be related to or living with the person they care for. The payment is not means-tested by savings but is subject to an earnings cap: the carer's net earnings after tax, National Insurance, and allowable expenses must fall below a weekly threshold, and carers in full-time education of 21 hours or more a week do not qualify. Carer's Allowance can affect other benefits — particularly benefits the cared-for person receives, such as the severe disability addition in Pension Credit — so applicants should consider the household impact before claiming. The claim also awards National Insurance credits that can protect State Pension entitlement. In Scotland, Carer's Allowance has been replaced for new claims by Carer Support Payment, administered by Social Security Scotland. Eligibility and rate are determined by the DWP on the basis of the caring arrangement and the carer's earnings. This page references figures and criteria from the primary GOV.UK source; the authoritative source for any individual award remains the DWP.

Applies in England, Wales, Northern Ireland. Administered by DWP. This page is general information; contact DWP for your individual circumstances.

Rates

Eligibility criteria include

• AGE
  The claimant must be 16 or over. ^[GOV.UK]
• WORK STATUS
  The claimant must spend at least 35 hours a week caring for the person. ^[GOV.UK]
• RESIDENCE
  The claimant must have been in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years (does not apply to refugees or those with humanitarian protection status). ^[GOV.UK]
• RESIDENCE
  The claimant must normally live in England or Wales, or live abroad as a member of the armed forces (may still be eligible if moving to or already living in an EEA country or Switzerland). ^[GOV.UK]
• WORK STATUS
  The claimant must not be in full-time education. ^[GOV.UK]
• WORK STATUS
  The claimant must not be studying for 21 hours a week or more. ^[GOV.UK]
• IMMIGRATION
  The claimant must not be subject to immigration control. ^[GOV.UK]
• INCOME
  The claimant's earnings must be £204 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses. ^[GOV.UK]
• HOUSEHOLD
  If another carer is already claiming Carer's Allowance, Carer Support Payment, or the extra amount of Universal Credit for caring for the same person, the claimant cannot also get Carer's Allowance for that person. ^[GOV.UK]
• IMMIGRATION
  If the claimant is from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, they and their family usually also need settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. ^[GOV.UK]
• INCOME
  If the claimant's State Pension is £86.45 a week or more, they will not receive a Carer's Allowance payment. If the pension is less than £86.45 a week, they will get a Carer's Allowance payment to make up the difference. ^[GOV.UK]
• INCOME
  If the claimant's State Pension is more than £86.45 a week, they will not get a Carer's Allowance payment, but their Pension Credit payments will increase instead. ^[GOV.UK]
• RESIDENCE
  If the claimant lives in Scotland, they must apply for Carer Support Payment instead of Carer's Allowance. ^[GOV.UK]
• DISABILITY
  The person being cared for must already receive one of the specified qualifying disability benefits: Personal Independence Payment (daily living component), Disability Living Allowance (middle or highest care rate), Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (middle or highest care rate), Attendance Allowance, Pension Age Disability Payment, 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 (middle or highest care rate), or Adult Disability Payment (daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate). ^[GOV.UK]

Sources