Carer's Allowance

Carer’s Allowance

Carer’s Allowance is the main benefit for carers, and is for people providing at least 35 hours of care each week. Although a low amount, it can help make a difference to your finances. It is currently £76.75 per week.

There are certain requirements to get it – see below.

If you’ve any questions at all about Carer’s Allowance or how to claim it, please speak to our team. Call us on 0303 040 1234 or email [email protected]. You can also text us (SMS) on 07723 486730. We understand the process and the forms, so let us help you.

Where to find out more about Carer’s Allowance

You can also read more on Carers UK’s Carers Allowance Factsheet.

Full information in Surrey Welfare Rights’ booklet Carers-welfare-Benefits.

Who’s eligible?

The person you care for must be receiving at least one of the following 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

You cannot get Carer’s Allowance if you are in receipt of a state pension at the full rate (if it is lower than the standard rate the state pension can be topped up to the same level as state pension.) This means that in most cases you can’t get Carers Allowance if you are over state pension age.

You need to:

• spend at least 35 hours a week caring for the person you support
• you must have a weekly income of less that £139 (after tax, national insurance and expenses), but it’s non-means tested
• be aged 16 or over

You don’t need to:

• Be related to, or live with the person you care for

There are some other requirements, explained on the government’s website.