Overview
You could get £86.45 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits.
You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.
You do not get paid extra if you care for more than one person.
If someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance.
Eligibility of the person you care for
You may be eligible for Carer’s Allowance if you, the person you care for and the type of care you provide meets certain criteria.
The person you care for
The person you care for must already get one of these benefits:
- Personal Independence Payment – daily living component
- Disability Living Allowance – the middle or highest care rate
- Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance – the 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 – the middle or highest care rate
- Adult Disability Payment – daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate
If you care for the person with others
You cannot get Carer’s Allowance if you share the care of someone and the other carer is already claiming:
- Carer’s Allowance for that person
- Carer Support Payment for that person
- the extra amount of Universal Credit for caring for someone who gets a disability-related benefit for that person
If you want to get Carer’s Allowance, speak to the other carer about changing their benefits.
If the other carer does not want to do that, you can still apply for Carer’s Allowance. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will decide who should receive the benefit.
The type of care you provide
You need to spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone. This can include:
- helping with washing and cooking
- taking the person you care for to a doctor’s appointment
- helping with household tasks, like managing bills and shopping
Your eligibility
All of the following must apply:
- you’re 16 or over
- you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone
- you’ve been in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years (this does not apply if you’re a refugee or have humanitarian protection status)
- you normally live in England, Scotland or Wales, or you live abroad as a member of the armed forces (you might still be eligible if you’re moving to or already living in an EEA country or Switzerland)
- you’re not in full-time education
- you’re not studying for 21 hours a week or more
- you’re not subject to immigration control
- your earnings are £204 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses
If your earnings are sometimes more than £204 a week you might still be eligible for Carer’s Allowance. Your average earnings may be calculated to work out if you’re eligible.
Calculating your earnings
Your earnings are any income from employment and self-employment after tax, National Insurance and expenses.
Expenses can include:
- 50% of your pension contributions
- equipment you need to do your job, for example specialist clothing
- travel costs between different workplaces that are not paid for by your employer, for example fuel or train fares
- business costs if you’re self-employed, for example a computer you only use for work
If you get State Pension
If you pay a carer to look after the disabled person or your children while you work, you can treat care costs that are less than or equal to 50% of your earnings as an expense. The carer must not be your spouse, partner, parent, child or sibling.
You cannot get the full amount of both Carer’s Allowance and your State Pension at the same time.
If your pension is £86.45 a week or more, you will not get a Carer’s Allowance payment.
If your pension is less than £86.45 a week, you’ll get a Carer’s Allowance payment to make up the difference.
If you get Pension Credit
If your State Pension is more than £86.45 a week, you will not get a Carer’s Allowance payment but your Pension Credit payments will increase instead.
If you’re not eligible
You might be eligible for Carer’s Credit if you’re not eligible for Carer’s Allowance.
How to make a claim
Before you apply make sure you have your:
- National Insurance number (if you have a partner you’ll need theirs too)
- bank or building society details (unless you get your State Pension)
- employment details and latest payslip if you’re working
- P45 if you’ve recently finished work
- 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 need their:
- date of birth and address
- National Insurance number if they’re 16 or over
- Disability Living Allowance reference if they’re under 16
You can backdate your claim by up to 3 months.
Last Updated on April 23, 2026 by Ashford Advice