Carer's Allowance

Carer’s Allowance is an allowance for adults who spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who receives a disability benefit. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) pays Carer's Allowance (GOV.UK).

You may be able to claim Carer's Allowance if you;

• claim the middle or highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for your child
• spend more that 35 hours a week caring for a young person aged over 16 who claims the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Claiming Carer's Allowance

You may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance if you:

• are 16 years old or over
• spend at least 35 hours a week caring for your child
• are not in full-time education
• are not studying for 21 or more hours a week
• earn no more than £196 a week (after taxes, care costs while at work and 50% of your pension contributions)

It’s important to know that: 

• You can claim Carer’s Allowance even if you have savings.
• You can only claim Carer’s Allowance once, even if you care for more than one person.
• Only one person can claim Carer’s Allowance for caring for someone, even if more than one person meets the eligibility conditions.

You should read DWP’s eligibility criteria for Carer’s Allowance.

What you get

Carer’s Allowance is £83.30 a week. 

It counts as income when your entitlement to income-related benefits is worked out. For more information about how Carer’s Allowance may impact other benefits you receive, visit the Contact website.

If your family gets Universal Credit or Child Tax Credit, you’ll get extra payments for a child who receives DLA. Find out more about extra tax credits or Universal Credit payments, visit the Contact website.

How to claim Carer's Allowance

You can claim Carer’s Allowance at GOV.UK:

• online
• download a paper form

More information

• British Sign Language (BSL) videos explaining Carer’s Allowance (DWPsign)
• Benefits you can claim as a carer (Money Helper)