What is carers Allowance?

Carer’s Allowance is a benefit available to people who provide at least 35 hours of care to someone per week. The money received can be used in whatever way the carer likes. It’s a taxable benefit, so it does form part of your taxable income if you earn over your personal expenses allowance.  However, for each week you receive Carer’s Allowance, you will also automatically get National Insurance credits.

Am I eligible for Carers Allowance?

The person you care for must be claiming one of these benefits:

• The middle or highest rate of the Disability Living Allowance care component
• Personal independence Payment daily living component
• Attendance Allowance
• Armed Forces Independence Payment.

You’ll also need to meet these conditions:

• You earn less than £128 a week after tax, national insurance and expenses.
• You must be 16 or over.
• You’re not in full-time education (21 hours a week or more).
• You must have lived in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland for two out of the last three years.
• You normally live in England, Scotland or Wales or Northern Ireland, or you live abroad as a member of the armed forces.
• You must meet certain immigration conditions. Citizens Advice   has information about immigration status.

If you get a private or workplace pension, Carer’s Allowance doesn’t count as earnings so you can be paid the benefit on top of your pension. You may not be able to get Carer’s Allowance if you’re already claiming a State pension.

You don’t have to be related to, or live with, the person you’re caring for.

Carer’s Allowance can be taxed and it can affect the benefits you or the person you care for receives.

If someone else looks after the same person as you, only one of you can receive Carer’s Allowance.

If you care for more than one person, you can’t add together the time you spend caring for each of them to make 35 hours. You don’t get paid extra if you care for more than one person.

You don’t have to keep time sheets or a diary to prove you’ve cared for someone for 35 hours.

How much is Carers Allowance

For 2021/22, Carer’s Allowance is paid at £67.60 to eligible carers.

While it is not means tested, there is an upper limit on how much you can earn while still being entitled to receive it. The 2021/22 upper limit for earnings is £128 per week after deductions.

Claiming Carer’s Allowance can affect the benefits of the person who you care for, so it is important to find out more information before making a claim:

https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/effect-on-other-benefits

How do I claim Carers Allowance?

You can claim Carer’s Allowance online at: GOV.UK if you live in England, Wales or Scotland

You can also call the Carer’s Allowance Unit  on 0800 731 0297 (textphone 0800 731 0317) if you live in England, Wales, or Scotland.

Or, you can download the form from GOV.UK  and send it by post to the address on the form. There are different claim forms depending on whether you are under or over State Pension age.

The claim form must be signed by the person you’re caring for. If they can’t sign because of their illness, someone else can sign it on their behalf.

In some cases, someone from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) can visit you to help you with your benefit claim. This is only if you are eligible. You can find out more about support visits at GOV.UK  .

Does claiming affect the person I supports benefits?

When you claim Carer’s Allowance, the person you care for will stop getting:

• a severe disability premium paid with their benefits
• an extra amount for severe disability paid with Pension Credit, if they get one
• reduced Council Tax – contact their local council to find out if this affects them
• You might be eligible for Carer’s Credit if you’re not eligible for Carer’s Allowance.