What Carer's Allowance is
Carer's Allowance is a weekly payment for people who provide at least 35 hours of care per week to a disabled person who is receiving a qualifying benefit. It is not means-tested, your income does not determine whether you qualify, though there is an earnings limit that affects many working carers. Your savings do not affect eligibility.
It is not conditional on living with the person you care for. You can qualify while living separately.
The current weekly rate is at GOV.UK. It changes each April and should be verified there rather than from any other source.
35 hours
Minimum care hours per week to qualify
You must provide at least 35 hours of care per week to a disabled person receiving a qualifying benefit.
16+
Minimum age to claim
No upper age limit, but there is an important interaction with State Pension — see below.
April
When the earnings threshold is updated
The weekly net earnings limit changes each April. Always verify the current figure at GOV.UK before applying.
The qualifying benefit requirement — the person you care for must receive one of these
The person you care for must be receiving one of the following:
- PIP daily living component, either the standard or enhanced rate
- Disability Living Allowance, at the middle or higher rate care component
- Attendance Allowance, either rate
- Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal maximum rate
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
A common situation: you are caring for someone who has not yet applied for a qualifying benefit. They may be entitled to one and not know it. The correct step is to help them apply for PIP or Attendance Allowance (depending on their age) first. Once they receive a qualifying benefit, you can claim Carer's Allowance.
The earnings trap: what most carers do not see coming
Carer's Allowance has a net earnings limit (verify the current weekly figure at GOV.UK, it changes each April and has moved several times in recent years).
The limit is calculated on your net earnings after deducting tax, National Insurance, pension contributions, and half of any eligible expenses. This is not the same as your gross pay.
The sharp edge: if you earn above the limit in any single week, your Carer's Allowance may stop for that week, and you must report it. This is different from Universal Credit, which tapers gradually. Carer's Allowance is an on/off switch at the weekly earnings level. Carers who do occasional overtime or pick up extra shifts sometimes tip over the limit without realising, and then face an overpayment.
If you are working and claiming Carer's Allowance, track your net weekly earnings carefully, particularly around irregular pay periods like bonuses or holiday pay.
Carer's Allowance and State Pension: the single most important thing to understand
If your State Pension is the same as or more than the Carer's Allowance weekly rate, you will not receive Carer's Allowance as a direct payment. This is called an overlapping benefit rule.
Many people in this situation assume there is no point claiming. That is wrong.
Even without a payment, you are still treated as having an "underlying entitlement" to Carer's Allowance. This underlying entitlement matters:
- It adds the UC Carer Element to your Universal Credit award
- It may add the Carer Premium to legacy benefits like Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction
- It flags your carer status to the DWP, which can affect other entitlements
Always claim Carer's Allowance if you are eligible, even if you expect to receive no payment.
Carer's Allowance and Universal Credit
If you receive Universal Credit, Carer's Allowance is counted as income and reduces your UC award pound for pound. However, claiming Carer's Allowance also triggers the UC Carer Element, which is added to your UC payment.
The current UC Carer Element amount is at GOV.UK. In many cases, the Carer Element more than offsets the income reduction from Carer's Allowance, making it financially worth claiming even though the interaction feels circular.
This is worth checking with Entitledto, Citizens Advice, or the GOV.UK calculator for your specific circumstances before assuming claiming makes no difference.
Carer's Allowance and legacy benefits: the Carer Premium
For people still on legacy benefits (Income Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction), claiming Carer's Allowance can add a Carer Premium to the applicable amount used to calculate those benefits.
Managed migration to Universal Credit is ongoing. If you receive legacy benefits and a migration notice arrives, get advice from Citizens Advice before acting.
How to claim
You can claim Carer's Allowance online via GOV.UK or by phone via the Carer's Allowance Unit (number on GOV.UK).
You will need:
- Your National Insurance number
- Bank account details
- Details of the person you care for, including their DWP reference number and the qualifying benefit they receive
- Information about your employment and earnings if you are working
Carer's Allowance is taxable income. If your total income is above the personal allowance, you must declare it on a Self Assessment return. Keep this in mind when budgeting.
Get notified when the Carer's Allowance weekly rate and earnings threshold change each April.
Common questions about Carer's Allowance
Can I claim Carer's Allowance if I work?▾
Yes, if your net earnings stay below the weekly earnings limit. The limit is based on your earnings after deducting tax, National Insurance, pension contributions, and half of eligible expenses, not gross pay. The exact weekly figure changes each April; check the current amount at GOV.UK. If you earn above the limit in a given week, your Carer's Allowance for that week may stop and you must report it.
What if the person I care for lives in a different house?▾
That is fine. You do not need to live with the person you care for. What matters is that you are providing at least 35 hours of care per week. Being physically present to provide care is what the claim is assessed on, not the address on the bill.
Can two people claim Carer's Allowance for the same person?▾
No. Only one person can receive Carer's Allowance for the same disabled person at a time. If two people are splitting care duties, only one can claim. You can decide between you who claims, but two claims for one person will not both be paid.
Does Carer's Allowance affect my other benefits?▾
It depends on which benefits you receive. Carer's Allowance is counted as income for Universal Credit and most legacy benefits, which reduces those payments. However, claiming Carer's Allowance also triggers the UC Carer Element, which partially or fully offsets the reduction. If you are on legacy benefits, it may add a Carer Premium. The net effect depends on your situation, Citizens Advice or Entitledto can run the numbers for you.
My State Pension is more than Carer's Allowance. Should I still claim?▾
Yes. This is important. If your State Pension is equal to or more than the Carer's Allowance weekly rate, you will not receive a direct payment. But you still have an underlying entitlement, which adds the UC Carer Element to any Universal Credit award and the Carer Premium to legacy benefits. Always claim if you are eligible, the absence of a payment does not mean the claim has no value.
Can I claim for caring for more than one person?▾
You can only receive one Carer's Allowance regardless of how many people you care for. If you are providing substantial care to multiple people, you still only get one payment.
What happens if the person I care for goes into hospital?▾
Carer's Allowance continues for 12 weeks while the person you care for is in hospital. After 12 weeks it stops. You must report the hospitalisation to the Carer's Allowance Unit. When they leave hospital and their qualifying benefit resumes, your Carer's Allowance can restart.
Is Carer's Allowance taxable?▾
Yes. Carer's Allowance is taxable income. Most people who receive only Carer's Allowance will not have a tax bill because the amount falls within the personal allowance, but if you have other income you may need to declare Carer's Allowance on a Self Assessment return. Check your position with HMRC or an accountant if unsure.
Related guides
- →Attendance AllowanceAttendance Allowance is one of the qualifying benefits that makes someone eligible for Carer's Allowance.
- →PIPPIP daily living component is a qualifying benefit for Carer's Allowance claims.
- →Pension CreditHow Pension Credit interacts with Carer's Allowance, and the Carer Addition to Pension Credit.
- →Universal CreditThe UC Carer Element, how Carer's Allowance affects UC, and why claiming still makes sense.
- →Benefits overviewAll the main UK benefits explained.