Carer's Allowance

Carer’s Allowance is a benefit for people who care for disabled adults or children.

You can get Carer's Allowance if you:

·        are 16 or over

·        provide 35 hours a week of care to someone receiving the higher or middle rate care components of Disability Living Allowance, or either rate of Attendance Allowance

·        are not working, or you are working but you earn no more than the earnings limit for Carer’s Allowance

·        not in full-time education (this means 21 hours a week or more).

Carer's Allowance does not depend on household income so it doesn't matter how much anyone else in your house earns. If you count as a carer for Carer’s Allowance, you may also be able to claim Income Support, but this will depend on other circumstances including savings, partner’s work, and joint income.

For more information about Carer’s Allowance and how to claim it, look at Direct Gov.  Carers UK also has lots of information about Carer’s Allowance and other financial help for carers.

Working Families has useful information if you need to reduce your hours because of your caring responsibilities.