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Carers Benefit Information

Carer’s Allowance is money to help people who look after someone who needs care.

Who Can Get It?

You can get Carer’s Allowance if:

  • you are 16 or older

  • you care for someone for 35 hours or more each week

  • 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 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 earn less than £204 a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses.

  • you are not in full-time education

  • you are not studying for 21 hours or more a week

  • you're not subject to immigration control

 

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

  • Child Disability Payment - the middle or highest care rate

  • Adult Disability Payment -daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate

 

What Does Caring Mean?

Caring means helping someone with:

  • washing and dressing

  • eating and taking medicine

  • toing to appointments

  • keeping them safe

 

How to Apply

You can apply:

You’ll need:

  • Your National Insurance number

  • Details about the person you care for

  • Information about your work or studies

Things to Know

  • Only one person can get Carer’s Allowance for each person being cared for.

  • It might change other benefits you or the person you care for get.

  • You can ask for the money to start up to 3 months ago.

 

For further information, please visit www.gov.uk/carers-allowance