Carer's Allowance
A weekly payment for people who spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone with a disability. You do not need to be a professional carer or live with the person.
Key Facts
- Current rate: £81.90 per week (2024/25)
- You must spend at least 35 hours a week caring
- The person you care for must receive a qualifying disability benefit
- You cannot earn more than £151 per week (after deductions)
- Claiming Carer's Allowance gives you National Insurance credits
- May affect other benefits — always check before claiming
Who Can Claim Carer's Allowance?
You can claim if you are aged 16 or over, spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone, earn no more than £151 per week after tax, National Insurance, pension contributions and half of any private pension contributions, and are not in full-time education.
The person you care for must be receiving one of the qualifying benefits: Attendance Allowance, the daily living component of PIP, the middle or highest care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), or certain other disability benefits.
What Counts as 35 Hours?
The 35 hours includes time spent helping with personal care, preparing meals, collecting prescriptions, accompanying to appointments, administering medication, providing emotional support, and supervising to keep the person safe. It can be spread across the week — not necessarily a single block of time.
You do not have to live with the person you care for. Many carers look after a parent or relative who lives nearby.
How It Affects Other Benefits
Carer's Allowance can trigger an additional amount called the 'carer premium' or 'carer addition' in other means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit, Universal Credit and Housing Benefit. This can increase your total income significantly.
However, if you already receive State Pension, the rules can be complicated — you may not receive Carer's Allowance as a payment, but you may still be entitled to the 'underlying entitlement' which unlocks carer premiums in other benefits. Speak to Citizens Advice or call the Carer's Allowance Unit before claiming.