Carer's Allowance

You could get £67.60 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for. You do not get paid extra if you care for more than one person. If someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance. You can choose to be paid weekly in advance or every 4 weeks. Carer’s Allowance can affect the other benefits that you and the person you care for get. You have to pay tax on it if your income is over the Personal 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 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.

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 ‘caring for a severely disabled person’ extra amount of Universal Credit 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.

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.

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 £128 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses.

If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you and your family usually also need settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to get Carer’s Allowance. If your earnings are sometimes more than £128 a week you might still be eligible for Carer’s Allowance. Your average earnings may be calculated to work out if you’re eligible.