About the Carer's Allowance
Carer’s Allowance is for people who look after someone with high care needs for at least 35 hours a week. The person you care for must get a qualifying benefit. This can include Disability Living Allowance (middle or highest care rate), Personal Independence Payment (standard or enhanced daily living), or Attendance Allowance.
The carer must:
- be aged 16 or older,
- not be in full-time education, and
- earn £204 or less a week after certain costs.
Carers Allowance is taxable and may affect your other benefits.
You can find out more on the GOV.UK – Carer’s Allowance page. Or view an easy read guide from Mencap.
Carers UK explain in the video below how to apply and what you need to have ready.
National Insurance credits
Your National Insurance (NI) record helps you qualify for benefits like the State Pension and Maternity Allowance. If you get Carer’s Allowance, you also get Class 1 NI credits each week. These help protect your record and can count towards benefits such as Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, and bereavement benefits.
If you cannot get Carer’s Allowance, you can claim Carer’s Credit instead. This does not pay money, but it gives you Class 3 NI credits. These help with your State Pension, but they do not count for some other benefits. It is important to check what each benefit needs.
You can find more on the GOV.UK – Carers Credit page.
About the Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance helps people aged 65 or over who need help with personal care due to illness or disability.
You can find out more on the GOV.UK – Attendance Allowance page.