Carer’s Allowance is the main benefit for carers. It is paid to help people who look after someone who is disabled. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for. It is paid at a basic rate of £50.55 a week.

You can claim Carer’s Allowance if:

• you are aged 16 or over

• you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a person The care must relate to one person only. These hours include time for supervision, preparation, and clearing up, as well as assistance.

• The person you care for is getting Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance at the middle or highest rate for personal care

• You satisfy UK residence and immigration rules

You can’t claim Carer’s Allowance if:

• you are in full-time education for more than 21 hours a week of supervised study or

• you earn more than £95 a week after certain deductions have been made (such as Income Tax)

If you are getting State Retirement Pension, Incapacity Benefit, Bereavement Benefit or any other ‘earnings replacement’ benefit of more than the rate of Carer’s Allowance, you cannot be paid Carer’s Allowance as well. However, if this is the case, you could have ‘underlying entitlement’ to Carer’s Allowance, which can help you get more money from other benefits, such as an extra amount of Income Support or Pension Credit., so it is still worth claiming.

You may be able to get an additional amount for your husband, wife or civil partner or someone living with you who looks after your dependent children.

If you are a carer, but are not entitled to Carer’s Allowance, you can claim Home Responsiblities Protection for every year you are a carer for at least 48 weeks. For more information about Home Responsibiliites Protection contact The Pension Service on 0845 60 60 265 (textphone: 0845 60 60 285).

Contact The Carer's Allowance Unit for a claim form.
Their address is Carer's Allowance Unit, Palatine House, Lancaster Road, Preston, PR1 1HB

Telephone: 01253 856 123 (textphone: 01772 899 489).
You can ring these numbers between 9am and 5pm Monday to Thursday and between 9am and 4.30pm Friday.

Alternatively, you can call the Benefits Enquiry Line on 0800 88 22 00 or you can claim online at direct.gov.uk