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Who can get Carer's Allowance?

You may be able to get Carer's Allowance if you:

• are aged 16 or over
• spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a person

They should be getting one of the following benefits:

• Attendance Allowance

• Disability Living Allowance

Who can't get Carer's Allowance?

You can't get Carer's Allowance if:

• you're in full-time education with 21 hours or more a week of supervised study - or doing a course described as full-time by the college or establishment providing it
• you earn more than £100 a week after certain deductions (like Income Tax) have been made

• Carer's Allowance - eligibility

How much do you get?

The weekly rate is £55.55. This is reduced by the amount of certain other benefits, including State Pension, that you get.

If you receive certain other benefits at £55.55 or more a week, you won't get Carer's Allowance as well.

• Understanding the basic State Pension (pensions and retirement planning section)

How to claim Carer's Allowance

You can ask for a claim form over the telephone, by contacting the Carer's Allowance Unit or your local Jobcentre Plus office.

You can download the claim form or claim online.

• Claim online - Carer's Allowance Opens new window

• Carer's Allowance - how to claim

How it's paid

Carer's Allowance is paid directly into any account of your choice that accepts Direct Payment of benefits. This might be a bank, building society, Post Office® or National Savings account.

You may be able to get someone else to collect your Carer's Allowance if you wish. For help with this contact your bank, building society or other account provider for example a credit union.

If you would like more information about how you can be paid by other means contact the Carer's Allowance Unit.

Effect on other benefits and entitlements

Getting Carer's Allowance can affect the following for you or the person you care for:

• benefits
• allowances
• pensions
• entitlements

• Carer's Allowance - effect on other benefits and entitlements

Changes in circumstances - for you or who you care for

Changes to your circumstances - and those of the person you care for - can affect your eligibility for Carer's Allowance, or the amount you get.

For example, changes to your income or employment, if you go into full-time education or take a break from caring.

• Carer's Allowance - changes in circumstances

What else you should know

If you receive Carer's Allowance and move to another country in the European Economic Area or Switzerland, you may continue to receive it under certain circumstances. To find out more use the following link. 

• Taking disability benefits to other European countries

If you are already living in another European Economic Area country or Switzerland, you may be able to claim Disability Living Allowance (care component only) under certain circumstances. Follow the link below to find out more.

• Claiming disability benefits if you live in another European country

Making a complaint about the Disability and Carers Service

The Disability and Carers Service is part of the Department for Work and Pensions and provides financial help to disabled people and carers. It deals with claims for Carer's Allowance as well as several disability benefits.

If you are unhappy with the service the Disability and Carers Service has provided, you can make a complaint.

• Making a complaint about the Disability and Carers Service (disabled people section)

More useful links

• Caring and your pension (caring for someone section)

• Guide to financial support for carers (caring for someone section)