Carers Allowance
You can claim if:
You look after someone for 35 hours a week or more, who is sick or disabled and who gets Attendance Allowance; Disability Living Allowance (middle or higher rate care component) and/or Constant Attendance Allowance and you are:
- 16 or older
- Not earning more than £100 a week after certain deductions have been made (e.g. income tax)
- Not in full time education (21 hours or more a week)
- Satisfy UK residence, presence and immigration rules
This benefit is not means tested, but is classed as taxable income. You can get the benefit even if you have never worked. However if the person you care for with the qualifying benefit (e.g. DLA) gets certain means tested benefits and a carer who lives with them starts to claim Carers Allowance, the means tested benefit claimed by the cared for may be reduced.
More information
Direct Gov Carers Allowance – DG10012522
Carers UK Carers Allowance & the Carers Premium/Addition (Factsheet UK1013) February 2010
NHS Carers Direct Carers Allowance
To claim: phone the Benefits Enquiry Line: 0800 882 200
To get advice: phone CarersLine: 0808 8087777
Return to Benefits
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