If you’re a carer, there’s financial support out there to help you. Find out what’s available and how to apply.
Carer’s Allowance
In 2023/24, Carer’s Allowance is £76.75 a week
You might be able to claim it if you:
- spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone
- are aged 16 or over
- aren’t in full-time education or studying for 21 hours a week or more
- earn £139 (2023/24) a week or less (after tax, National Insurance and expenses).
That’s £7,228 a year.
The person you’re caring for must also be getting a benefit because of their illness or disability. For example:
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (the middle or higher rate of the care component)
- Personal Independence Payment (either rate of the daily living component)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment.
Carer’s Allowance is taxable. But you’ll only have to pay tax if you have other sources of taxable income. For example, occupational or personal pensions or part-time earnings. And if this combined income takes you over the threshold for paying tax – £12,570 a year in 2023/24). Carer’s Allowance on its own is currently below this threshold.
How does Carer’s Allowance affect other benefits?
Carer’s Allowance can also affect other benefits you might be already getting – so you might be paid less in another benefit.
It will count as income if you’re getting Universal Credit. But you might also qualify for extra Universal Credit because you’re a carer.
It can also affect the benefits of the person you’re caring for. For example, if they’re getting Severe Disability Premium – this might stop if you claim Carer’s Allowance.
Making sure your earnings stay under the threshold
If your weekly take home pay is more than £139 (2023/24) after deductions, you’re no longer entitled to Carer’s Allowance.
HMRC now give up-to-date information about earnings to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
If you earn more than this in any given week, it’s important to tell the DWP. If you don’t, you’ll be asked to pay back the amount you were overpaid.
If your earnings vary from week to week, it’s important to let the DWP know. This is so they can average out your earnings so you stay under the limit.
You can report changes online using the carer’s allowance service at GOV.UKOpens in a new window
Or you can contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit at GOV.UKOpens in a new window
Find out more on the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) website
Did you know?
Millions of pounds of carers’ benefits go unclaimed every year according to Age UK.
You can’t usually get Carer’s Allowance if you’re already claiming State Pension or certain income-replacing benefits. For example, New Style Employment and Support Allowance.
However, it’s still worth making a claim even though you won’t get the benefit. As if you qualify in all other respects, you might be entitled to top-up income on other benefits you get. This is called having an ‘underlying entitlement’ to Carer’s Allowance.
Your local Jobcentre Plus – or Jobs and Benefits Office in Northern Ireland – will be able to tell you which benefits to apply for. Or you can contact your local Citizens Advice.
Find your nearest branch on the Citizens Advice websiteOpens in a new window
There’s more information about Carer’s Allowance on these websites:
- find out more about Carer’s Allowance at GOV.UKOpens in a new window
- watch a video and find examples of how Carer’s Allowance works at Carers UK Opens in a new window
- use our Benefits Calculator.
Northern Ireland
Find out more at nidirect about Carer’s Allowance in Northern Ireland
Scotland
Carer’s Allowance is being replaced by Carer Support Payment in Scotland. The gradual roll out will start at the end of 2023 and continue into 2024. Until then you’ll continue to get Carer’s Allowance but you’ll also get Carer’s Allowance Supplement payments.
The first payment of £245.70 is in June. You’ll get it if you were getting Carer’s Allowance on 10 April 2023.
The second payment is in December and will be £245.70. You’ll get this if you're receiving Carer’s Allowance on 9 October 2023.
You won’t get Carer’s Allowance Supplement if you have an underlying entitlement to Carer’s Allowance. Carer’s Allowance Supplement won’t affect your other benefits or tax credits.
Find out more at mygov.scot about the Carer's Allowance SupplementOpens in a new window
New applications from 19 November 2023 for carers living in the Dundee, Perth and Kinross or Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles) local authorities will be part of a Carer Support Payment trial. More areas will be added over 2024.
Use our Benefits calculator
If you’re living on a low income or have had an income shock, use our Benefits calculator to quickly find out what you could be entitled to.
Carer’s Credit
Carer’s Credit is a National Insurance credit that fills up gaps in your National Insurance record.
It helps towards your State Pension while you’re not making any contributions because of your caring role.
You might be able to get Carer’s Credit if:
- you’re aged 16 or over
- you’re not yet getting State Pension
- you don’t qualify for Carer’s Allowance
- you spend at least 20 hours a week caring for someone
- the person you’re looking after gets a benefit because of their illness or disability. For example:
Disability Living Allowance - middle or highest rate of the care component
Attendance Allowance.
Constant Attendance Allowance
Personal Independence Payment daily living part
Armed Forces Independence Payment
Child Disability Payment (CDP) middle or highest rate of the care component.
If the person you’re caring for doesn’t get one of these benefits, you might still be able to claim by completing a ‘Care Certificate’.
England, Scotland and Wales
Find out more about Carer’s Credit at GOV.UKOpens in a new window
Northern Ireland
Find out more about caring and your pension at nidirectOpens in a new window
Carer Premium
You might be entitled to an additional Carer Premium if you already get:
- Income Support
- Universal Credit – and get the ‘carer element’
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Support – Rate Relief in Northern Ireland
- income-related Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit – and get the ‘carer addition’.
Ask about the Carer Premium at your local Jobcentre Plus or Jobs and Benefits Office. However, if you qualify, the payment will usually be added automatically.
Pension Credit
This is a benefit you can get if you’ve reached State Pension age. It’s designed to top up your income in retirement. It’s made up of two parts:
Guarantee Credit
Savings Credit (only available if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016).
One in three people who are entitled to Pension Credit don’t claim it. If you’re one of them, you’re missing out on hundreds of pounds a year.
If you live with a partner, you’ll only be able to claim Pension Credit if you’ve both reached State Pension age.
Find out if you qualify in our guide Pension Credit
Local welfare assistance
If you have an unexpected and urgent financial need and you’re getting certain benefits or are on a very low income, you might be able to get local help. This is called local welfare assistance.
England
Contact your local council to find out more about what help they might be able to provide.
Scotland
Find out more about the Scottish Welfare Fund at mygov.scot Opens in a new window
Wales
Find out more about the Discretionary Assistance Fund at gov.walesOpens in a new window
Northern Ireland
Find out more about the Social Fund at nidirectOpens in a new window
Other benefits you might be able to claim
As a carer, there are other benefits and support you might qualify for.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is replacing these benefits:
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support.
If you’re making a new claim for means-tested benefits to help if you’re on a low income, you’ll have to claim Universal Credit.
Find out more in our guide Universal Credit explained
If you’re caring for a severely disabled person for at least 35 hours a week, you might qualify for the carer element of Universal Credit.
Find out more about the carer element and how much you might get in our guide How much is Universal Credit?
Citizens Advice Help to Claim service
Citizens Advice Help to Claim service is free and confidential. They can help you:
- check if you’re entitled to Universal Credit
- get your important paperwork and documents together to speed up your application
- fill out your application online.
England and Wales
For more details, and to find your nearest branch visit Citizens Advice
Or in England, call 0800 144 8444 and Wales, call 0800 024 1220
Scotland
Visit Citizens Advice Scotland or call 0800 023 2581
Northern Ireland
Universal Credit works differently. Find out more at nidirect
If you’re not yet on Universal Credit
If you’re currently getting any of the benefits being replaced by Universal Credit, you’ll continue to get them until:
- you have to make a new claim because of a change in circumstances
- the DWP asks you to start claiming Universal Credit.
A change in circumstances includes events such as starting a new job, having a child and starting or stopping being a carer.
If you want to know more about how this will affect your income, contact the Citizens Advice Help to Claim service before you make a claim. The service is free and confidential.
Find out more in our guide How will moving to Universal Credit affect me?
Help with housing costs
If you’re renting, you might get help with your housing costs through the Housing Costs element of Universal Credit (or Housing Benefit if you're over State Pension age).
If you’re a homeowner, you can get help with your mortgage interest payments through Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI). This is offered as a repayable loan.
Find out more in our guide Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
Other help if you’re on a low income
You might also be entitled to financial help with your:
- fuel
- health costs
- Council Tax
- home repair services.
Take a few minutes to check which benefits you can claim and how much you could get a month with our Benefits calculator
Other schemes and entitlements
Motability scheme
If you’re caring for someone with limited mobility, they might be able to get support from the Motability scheme. This can help by providing a car, wheelchair or powered scooter.
Blue badge parking
Blue badge parking permits allow drivers who have passengers with mobility issues to park in more convenient locations, such as disabled parking bays.
You can also park on single or double lines for up to three hours.
Find out how to apply for a blue badge at GOV.UKOpens in a new window
Disabled Persons Railcard
The Disabled Persons Railcard entitles the cardholder and a carer or companion one third off most adult rail fares on the National Rail network.
It costs £20 a year, or £54 for a three-year card. You can buy one at any staffed ticket office or apply online.
Find out more at Disabled Persons Railcard
Cinema Exhibitors’ Association Card
This card entitles you to one free ticket when you take the person you’re caring for to the cinema. All national cinema chains accept it. You can apply for the card online.
Find out more at Cinema Exhibitors’ Association Card
Other discounts
There are lots more free or discounted entry offers available to carers at museums, leisure centres and National Trust sites across the country.
They’re not always advertised – so it’s worth asking when you’re buying tickets.
Several local authorities also offer carers’ shopping, leisure and other discounts. Ask your local authority what extra support they offer.
Where to get help and advice about benefits
Claiming carer’s benefits can be complicated. So it’s important to make sure you’re getting the right entitlements.
