Carers Allowance

You may be eligible for Carer’s Allowance if you, the person you care for and the type of care you provide meets certain criteria.

The person you care for

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

• Attendance Allowance

• 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

• Armed Forces Independence Payment

• Child Disability Payment - the middle or highest care rate

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

If you care for the person with others

You cannot get Carer’s Allowance if you share the care of someone and the other carer is already claiming:

• Carer’s Allowance for that person

• the extra amount of Universal Credit for caring for someone who gets a disability-related benefit for that person

If you want to get Carer’s Allowance, speak to the other carer about changing their benefits.

If the other carer does not want to do that, you can still apply for Carer’s Allowance. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will decide who should receive the benefit.

The type of care you provide

You need to spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone. This can include:

• helping with washing and cooking

• taking the person you care for to a doctor’s appointment

• helping with household tasks, like managing bills and shopping

Your eligibility

All of the following must apply:

• you’re 16 or over

• you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone

• 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, Scotland 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’re not in full-time education

• you’re not studying for 21 hours a week or more

• you’re not subject to immigration control

• your earnings are £139 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses