Carer's Allowance
A carer is someone who looks after a relative, friend or neighbour who cannot manage without help because of sickness, age or disability. If you are caring for someone who is going to claim Attendance Allowance, you may want to claim Carer's Allowance.
Carer's Allowance is the main state benefit for carers. Carer's Allowance is currently £53.90 a week (figure correct for 2010-2011).
Carer's Allowance criteria
To qualify for Carer's Allowance, you must meet all of the criteria. These are:
- You must be 16 years old or over
- You must not be a full-time student
- You must be living in the UK when you claim Carer's Allowance
- You must look after someone for at least 35 hours a week
- The person you look after must receive a qualifying disability benefit, such as Attendance Allowance
- If you work, you must not earn more than £100 per week (figure correct for 2010-2011)
You should not try to claim Carer's Allowance until the person you care for is awarded Attendance Allowance. You must claim Carer's Allowance within three months of the Attendance Allowance decision being made or you could lose benefit.
If you already get any of the following benefits, you will not be awarded Carer's Allowance. It is still worth applying, however, as you may qualify for the Carer's Premium.
- Incapacity Benefit
- Contributory Employment and Support Allowance
- State Retirement Pension
- Widow's and bereavements benefits
- Maternity Allowance
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Contribution-based Job Seeker's Allowance
If you do not think you will qualify for Carer's Allowance, you may want to read our Carer's Credit page.
How to claim or find out more
Call the Benefit Enquiry Line from 8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday, or 9am to 1pm on Saturday:
- Telephone: 0800 88 22 00
- Textphone: 0800 24 33 55
- Write to: Carer's Allowance Unit, Palatine House, Lancaster Road, Preston, PR1 1HB.