What Is Carer’s Allowance?
Carer’s Allowance is a weekly benefit paid to people who provide regular and substantial care to someone with a disability. It is the main benefit for carers in the UK and is designed to help compensate for the impact that caring has on your ability to work and earn.
For the 2025/26 tax year, Carer’s Allowance is £81.90 per week, which works out at over £4,250 per year.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for Carer’s Allowance, you must meet all of the following conditions:
- You spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone
- The person you care for receives a qualifying disability benefit (see below)
- You are aged 16 or over
- You are not in full-time education (21 hours or more of supervised study per week)
- You earn no more than £151 per week after tax, National Insurance, and allowable expenses
- You normally live in England, Scotland, or Wales
Qualifying Disability Benefits
The person you care for must receive one of these benefits:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) daily living component (either rate)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) middle or highest rate care component
- Attendance Allowance (either rate)
- Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal maximum rate
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
How to Claim
You can claim Carer’s Allowance in several ways:
- Online: the quickest method, through GOV.UK
- By phone: call the Carer’s Allowance Unit on 0800 731 0297 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)
- By post: download and complete the claim form from GOV.UK
You will need to provide details about yourself, the person you care for, your employment (if applicable), and your bank or building society account.
Understanding Underlying Entitlement
Even if you cannot actually receive Carer’s Allowance payments (for example, because you receive State Pension at a higher rate), you may still have what is called an “underlying entitlement” to Carer’s Allowance. This is important because:
- It can qualify you for the Carer Premium in means-tested benefits
- It can lead to extra amounts in Pension Credit or Universal Credit
- It protects your National Insurance record through Carer’s Credit
Even if you think you will not receive any payment, it can still be worth claiming to establish your underlying entitlement.
Interaction with Other Benefits
Carer’s Allowance interacts with several other benefits. Here is what you need to know:
State Pension
If your State Pension is £81.90 or more per week, you will not receive Carer’s Allowance on top. The State Pension takes priority. However, your underlying entitlement still applies and can increase your other benefits.
Universal Credit
If you receive Universal Credit, you will get a carer element added to your UC payment. Carer’s Allowance itself is treated as income and deducted from your UC, but the carer element is usually more than the deduction, so you are better off overall.
Pension Credit
If you or your partner receives Pension Credit, an additional carer addition can be included. This is worth claiming even if your State Pension prevents you from receiving Carer’s Allowance directly.
Effect on the Person You Care For
When you receive Carer’s Allowance, the person you care for may lose their severe disability premium or severe disability addition in their benefits. It is important to check whether this applies before claiming. Citizens Advice or a benefits adviser can help you work out the overall financial impact.
Carer’s Credit and National Insurance
If you are caring for someone and not working (or working very little), your National Insurance record could develop gaps. Carer’s Credit fills these gaps automatically if you receive Carer’s Allowance.
If you care for someone for at least 20 hours a week but do not qualify for Carer’s Allowance, you can apply for Carer’s Credit separately to protect your State Pension entitlement.
The Carer Premium
If you receive means-tested benefits such as Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or Housing Benefit, you may be entitled to a Carer Premium. This is an extra amount added to your benefit to recognise your caring responsibilities.
To qualify for the Carer Premium, you need to be receiving Carer’s Allowance or have underlying entitlement to it.
Emotional Support and Respite
Caring for someone can be physically and emotionally demanding. It is important to look after your own wellbeing. Here are some sources of support:
- Carers UK: offers advice, information, and an online community for carers (visit carersuk.org or call 0808 808 7777)
- Local carers’ centres: many areas have dedicated support services for carers, offering peer support groups, training, and respite care
- Respite care: your local council can arrange temporary care so you can take a break. This may be provided through the cared-for person’s care plan.
- Carers’ assessments: you have a legal right to a carer’s assessment from your local council, which can identify support available to you
- NHS support: tell your GP that you are a carer, as they may be able to offer additional services such as flu vaccinations and flexible appointments
Tips for Carers Supporting Someone with Mobility Needs
If the person you care for has mobility difficulties, the right equipment can make caring safer and easier for both of you:
- Stairlifts can eliminate the need to help someone up and down stairs
- Wheelchairs provide independence on outings
- Bathroom aids reduce the risk of falls and make personal care more manageable
- Rise and recline chairs make sitting and standing easier without assistance
- Personal alarms provide peace of mind when you are not in the room
Remember that mobility equipment may qualify for VAT exemption and could be funded through the Disabled Facilities Grant.