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Carer’s Allowance is a benefit for people who are giving regular and substantial care to disabled people. Carer’s Allowance is a taxable benefit and forms part of your taxable income.
Check if you can get Carer’s Allowance
You can usually get Carer’s Allowance if all of the following apply:
- you’re aged 16 or over
- you’re not in full time education
- you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a disabled person
- you don’t earn more than £196 a week from employment or self-employment – after deductions such as income tax, National Insurance and half of your pension contributions
The person you’re caring for must get one of the following benefits, called ‘qualifying benefits’:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- the middle or highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance
- the standard or enhanced rate of the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- the standard or enhanced rate of the daily living component of Adult Disability Payment
- the middle or highest rate of the care component of Child Disability Payment
You usually have to be in Great Britain when you claim. There are some exceptions, for example, for members and family members of the Armed Forces.You might be able to get Carer’s Allowance if you and the person you are caring for move to the EU, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland or Liechtenstein, or if you’re already living in one of these countries. You can find out more about claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad on GOV.UK.
Claiming Carer’s Allowance
If the person you’re caring for gets a benefit with a Severe Disability Premium or Addition
The person you’re caring for can’t get the Premium or Addition while you’re getting Carer’s Allowance. They should contact the DWP or their local council to let them know you’re getting Carer’s Allowance.
The person you’re caring for might get a Severe Disability Premium or Addition as part of:
- Income-based JSA
- Income-related ESA
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Support
- Pension Credit
Always check with the person you’re caring for before you apply for Carer’s Allowance.
To make a claim for Carer’s Allowance you can:
- Use the online Claim Carer’s Allowance service on GOV.UK
- Download and print a Carer’s Allowance claim form, fill it in and send it by post
You can’t make a claim by phone. - If you need help making your claim, contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit.
Carer’s Allowance Unit telephone: 0800 731 0297