Carer’s Allowance
Carer’s Allowance
How it works
You could get £83.30 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits.
You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.
You do not get paid extra if you care for more than one person.
If someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance.
How you’re paid
You can choose to be paid weekly in advance or every 4 weeks.
It will be paid into an account, for example your bank account.
What else you can get
For each week you get Carer’s Allowance you’ll automatically get National Insurance credits.
You may also be able to apply for:
- support from your local council
- a Council Tax Reduction
- Universal Creditif you’re on a low income or out of work
- Pension Creditif you’re over working age
- grants and bursariesto help pay for courses and training
If you live in Scotland
You need to apply for Carer Support Payment instead of Carer’s Allowance.
If you currently get Carer’s Allowance
You do not need to apply for Carer Support Payment – you’ll automatically be moved to Carer Support Payment by spring 2025.
When the move begins, you’ll get letters from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Social Security Scotland.
Find out more about the change from Carer’s Allowance to Carer Support Payment.
If you get Carer’s Allowance, you may also get Carer’s Allowance Supplement.
If you move from Scotland to England or Wales
If you get Carer Support Payment, you must:
- report your move to Social Security Scotland
- make a new claim for Carer’s Allowance