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Carer’s Allowance is a weekly benefit for people who spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who gets certain disability benefits. This page summarises official guidance we read on 8 Oct 2026.

Scotland and Northern Ireland are covered further down.

What Carer’s Allowance is

• You do not have to be family. GOV.UK says you do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.
• One claim per person cared for. If someone else also cares for the same person, only one of you can claim.
• National Insurance credits. You automatically get them for each week you get Carer’s Allowance.

It is taxable if your income is over the Personal Allowance.

Who can get it

The person you care for must already get a qualifying benefit, such as Attendance Allowance, Pension Age Disability Payment, the daily living part of Personal Independence Payment or Adult Disability Payment, or the middle or highest care rate of Disability Living Allowance. GOV.UK says you must also:

• be 16 or over and spend at least 35 hours a week caring
• normally live in England or Wales, and have been in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years (with some exceptions)
• not be in full-time education or studying for 21 hours a week or more
• not be subject to immigration control

Caring can include washing, cooking, doctor’s appointments, bills and shopping.

How much it is

As shown on GOV.UK when we read it on 8 Oct 2026:

• Weekly rate: £86.45 a week, paid weekly in advance or every 4 weeks.
• Earnings limit: £204 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses.

If you pay a carer to look after the person you care for while you work, GOV.UK says care costs of up to 50% of your earnings can count as an expense. That carer must not be your spouse, partner, parent, child or sibling.

You cannot get the full amount of both Carer’s Allowance and State Pension. If your pension is £86.45 a week or more, you will not get a Carer’s Allowance payment; if it is less, you get the difference.

How it affects other benefits

GOV.UK says your total benefit payments will usually either go up or stay the same, though Universal Credit is reduced by an amount equal to your Carer’s Allowance. The person you care for will usually stop getting a severe disability premium, or the severe disability extra in Pension Credit, and might lose reduced Council Tax. Use a benefits calculator first.

How to claim

Apply online, or by post using the form on GOV.UK. You will need your National Insurance number, bank details, your latest payslip if you work, and the date of birth, address and (if 16 or over) National Insurance number of the person you care for. GOV.UK says you can backdate a claim by up to 3 months, and ask for a mandatory reconsideration if you disagree with a decision.

Working, breaks and paid help

GOV.UK says you can work and get Carer’s Allowance, as long as you spend at least 35 hours in your caring role. Your council may pay for respite care after an assessment, so ask for a carer’s assessment. For costs, see Paying for private care at home in the UK. When it is time to arrange help, see Finding a private carer in the UK.

Scotland and Northern Ireland

GOV.UK says that if you live in Scotland, you need to apply for Carer Support Payment instead. mygov.scot says it is up to £86.45 a week, for people 16 or over who provide unpaid care for 35 hours or more a week and whose take-home pay is not more than £204 a week. Scottish Carer Supplement (£11.70 a week) is paid automatically on top.

In Northern Ireland, see nidirect: Carer’s Allowance.

Questions to talk through as a family

• Who gives most of the care, and is it 35 hours a week or more?
• Does Mum or Dad get a qualifying benefit?

Sources

• GOV.UK: Carer’s Allowance: How it works. Read 8 Oct 2026.
• GOV.UK: Carer’s Allowance: Eligibility. Read 8 Oct 2026.
• GOV.UK: Carer’s Allowance: Effect on other benefits. Read 8 Oct 2026.
• GOV.UK: Carer’s Allowance: Make a claim. Read 8 Oct 2026.
• GOV.UK: Carer’s Allowance: If you’re working. Read 8 Oct 2026.
• mygov.scot: Carer Support Payment. Read 8 Oct 2026.
• mygov.scot: Who can apply for carer benefits. Read 8 Oct 2026.
• mygov.scot: If you work. Read 8 Oct 2026.
• nidirect: Carer’s Allowance. Read 8 Oct 2026.

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