Carer's Allowance
How it works
You could get £81.90 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.
Carer’s Allowance can affect the other benefits that you and the person you care for get. You have to pay tax on it if your income is over the Personal Allowance.
This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg) and in an easy read format.
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 Credit if you’re on a low income or out of work
- Pension Credit if you’re over working age
- grants and bursaries to help pay for courses and training
If you live in Scotland
If you live in Scotland and get Carer’s Allowance, you may also get Carer’s Allowance Supplement.
You may also need to apply for Carer Support Payment instead of Carer’s Allowance if you live in:
- Aberdeen City
- Aberdeenshire
- Angus
- East Ayrshire
- North Ayrshire
- South Ayrshire
- Dundee City
- Fife
- North Lanarkshire
- South Lanarkshire
- Moray
- Perth and Kinross
- Western Isles
If you currently get Carer’s Allowance
You’ll be automatically 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 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
Your Carer Support Payment will stop 13 weeks after you move. Make a new claim for Carer’s Allowance as soon as you arrive in England or Wales. If you delay your payments could be affected.