Eligibility for Carer’s Allowance - Rules and Requirements Explained

Rules for Claiming Carer's Allowance in the UK

Carer’s Allowance is a UK government benefit available to individuals who provide regular, unpaid care for someone with substantial care needs. The rules and eligibility criteria for Carer’s Allowance are specific, so here’s an overview of the requirements, income limits, and additional details to consider when claiming Carer’s Allowance.

Eligibility Criteria for Carer’s Allowance

To qualify for Carer’s Allowance, the following conditions must be met:

1. Time Spent Caring

   • You must provide at least 35 hours of care per week for someone with substantial care needs. Care includes physical assistance, help with tasks like cooking and cleaning, and emotional support.

2. Eligible Care Recipient

   • The person you care for must be receiving one of the following benefits:
     • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – Daily Living Component
     • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – Middle or Higher Care Component
     • Attendance Allowance
     • Constant Attendance Allowance at or above a certain rate with Industrial Injuries or War Pension
     • Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)

3. Income Threshold

   • You must earn £139 or less per week after tax, National Insurance, and expenses. Allowable expenses include costs associated with your employment, such as childcare or pension contributions. The threshold does not include savings, investment income, or pension income but does include earnings from work.

4. Age and Residency

   • You must be aged 16 or over and normally live in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland). You should not be in full-time education (defined as over 21 hours of supervised study per week).

5. Restrictions on Studying

   • You cannot claim Carer’s Allowance if you are in full-time education. Part-time students may be eligible, depending on the weekly hours they spend in supervised study.

Important Considerations When Claiming Carer’s Allowance

1. Effect on Other Benefits

   • Carer’s Allowance can affect other benefits, both yours and those of the person you care for. If you receive other benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or Housing Benefit, these may be reduced when you receive Carer’s Allowance.
   • You might be entitled to a Carer’s Premium or Carer’s Element if you claim other means-tested benefits, like Income Support or Universal Credit, which can increase your overall benefit amount.

2. Effect on the Care Recipient’s Benefits

   • If you claim Carer’s Allowance, the person you care for will no longer be eligible for a Severe Disability Premium (SDP) if they were receiving it, as this premium depends on not having a carer receiving Carer’s Allowance.

3. Limit of One Claim Per Carer

   • Only one Carer’s Allowance can be paid per carer. However, if you care for more than one person, you can only claim Carer’s Allowance for one of them.

4. Breaks in Care

   • Short breaks in care are allowed. You can still receive Carer’s Allowance if you stop providing care for up to 12 weeks in a year (such as a hospital stay or holiday) or if you or the person you care for has a hospital stay (with certain limitations).

5. Carer's Allowance and State Pension

   • If you receive a State Pension, you may not receive Carer’s Allowance as a cash benefit due to overlapping benefit rules. However, if you meet eligibility requirements, you could receive a top-up payment from your Pension Credit.

6. Impact on Tax and National Insurance Contributions

   • Carer’s Allowance is a taxable benefit, so if you have other income that exceeds the personal allowance threshold, you may need to pay tax on your Carer’s Allowance.
   • If you are under State Pension age, claiming Carer’s Allowance can qualify you for National Insurance credits toward your State Pension.

How to Apply for Carer’s Allowance

You can apply for Carer’s Allowance online through the UK Government website or by filling out a paper form (DS700 for England, Scotland, and Wales; DS700SP for Northern Ireland). The application will require details about the person you care for, your earnings, and other benefit information.

Payment Details

• Weekly Rate: Carer’s Allowance is currently £76.75 per week (as of 2023).
• Payment Frequency: It is usually paid every four weeks, though you may request weekly payments if preferred.

Carer’s Allowance Supplement (Scotland)

In Scotland, eligible claimants also receive a Carer’s Allowance Supplement, which is an additional payment made twice a year to support carers.

Contact Information

For assistance or to learn more about your eligibility for Carer’s Allowance, you can contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit:

• Phone: 0800 731 0297 (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm)
• Textphone: 0800 731 0317
• Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 731 0297