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Carer's Allowance

 
Carer's Allowance is a weekly benefit for people caring for a sick or disabled person full-time. 

To quality for this benefit, you do not have to live with the person you care for – they could be your partner, relative, neighbour or friend.

You can claim if:

  • you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who gets Attendance Allowance (any rate) or the Disability Living Allowance care component (middle or higher rate)
    and
  • you live in Great Britain and have lived here for at least six months in the last year
    and
  • you earn £95 a week or less (some earnings can be ignored – get advice about this)
    and
  • you are aged 16 or over.

You cannot get Carer's Allowance if:

  • you have any restrictions on your right to stay in the country
    or
  • you study full time (21 hours a week or more)
    or
  • someone else gets Carer's Allowance for the person you look after.
If you already get a Retirement Pension, Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance or bereavement or widow's benefit you cannot usually get Carer's Allowance as well.

But it is still worth claiming – if you get other benefits (for example, Income Support, Pension Credit, or Housing or Council Tax Benefit) these can increase, so get advice.

What you get

Carer's Allowance is worth £50.55 a week, or more if you have to support another adult.

Your claim can normally be backdated for up to three months. Claims can be backdated for longer than this if you have been waiting to hear about the disability benefit of the person you look after.

However, you must remember to claim Carer's Allowance within three months of the date of the decision to award Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance.

Claiming Carer's Allowance also gives you National Insurance credits towards your pension.

Get advice!

If the person you care for lives alone and gets benefits such as Income Support, they could lose money if you claim Carer's Allowance – ring Greenwich Welfare Rights Service for advice about this.

Further information

For full details of benefits available for carers please download the Benefits for Carers leaflet or contact Greenwich Welfare Rights Service using the number on the right or our online enquiry form.

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