You could be entitled to a benefit called Carer's Allowance if you spend time looking after someone with a disability or illness. You don't have to live with, or be related to, the person you care for, although you must fulfil various responsibilities to receive the extra financial help.
What is Carer's Allowance?
If you spend a minimum of 35 hours per week caring for a person with a disability or illness, you may be eligible for Carer’s Allowance. The person you care for must receive one of several disability benefits for you to qualify.
How much is Carer's Allowance?
Paid by the Department for Work and Pensions, the Carer's Allowance rate for 2023/24 is £76.75 per week. You can't claim it if you earn more than £139 a week after deductions for national insurance, tax and certain expenses.
You can't claim the full amount of both Carer’s Allowance and State Pension at the same time. You won't receive a Carer's Allowance payment if your State Pension is £76.75 per week or more. However, if your pension is less than £76.75 per week, you can claim a Carer’s Allowance payment to make up the difference.
Who qualifies for Carer's Allowance?
You may be eligible for Carer’s Allowance if you, the person you care for and the type of care you provide meets certain criteria.
The person you care for must be in receipt of one of several benefits. These can include Personal Independence Payment, the middle or highest care rate of Disability Living Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance at the full day rate with a War Disablement Pension, Armed Forces Independence Payment, Adult Disability Payment or Child Disability Payment at the middle or highest care rate.
Who can claim Carer's Allowance?
You can apply if you're at least 16 years old and spend a minimum of 35 hours a week caring for the person. The care you provide should include helping them with cooking, washing, household tasks, managing bills, shopping and taking them to medical appointments.
How to apply for Carer's Allowance
Detailed advice on how to claim Carer's Allowance is available on the Gov.uk website, where you can submit your application online.
Before you apply, make sure you have various information to hand. This should include your bank or building society details and your own national insurance number. If you're working, you'll need your employment details and latest payslip, or your P45 if you have recently finished working. If you're studying, you'll need the course details.
You'll also need details of the person you care for including their full name, address and date of birth, their national insurance number if they are aged over 16 or their Disability Living Allowance reference for under-16s. You can backdate your claim by a maximum of three months.
How long does Carer's Allowance take?
Once you've applied for Carer's Allowance, you may have a considerable wait before a decision is made. While the wait for a decision in 2023 is officially up to six weeks, a survey of carers on the Mobilise website suggests the real wait is between 13 and 15 weeks.
What should you do if you’re turned down?
If you're turned down, or think you're receiving the wrong amount, you can challenge the decision with the DWP.
You must submit an appeal within one month of the decision. You can also complain if you're unhappy with the service you've received from the DWP or the local benefits office in relation to your claim.
Can you claim expenses as a carer?
When you make your application for Carer's Allowance, you're required to supply details of any expenses you incur, such as the cost of caring for the disabled person while you're at work. This enables the DWP to assess your claim accurately.
If you're a self-employed care worker or work for a small corporation, you may be able to claim tax relief if you spend your own money on equipment you need for your carer's job and you use these items only for your work.
This could apply if you're a self-employed domiciliary care worker, for example. This is an important sector of care provision that helps elderly and vulnerable people to stay in their own homes for longer.
If you work for a larger corporation as a care worker, you can reasonably expect your employer to provide your uniform and PPE.
Purchasing personal protective equipment
In response to the changing circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the progress made with vaccination programs, the UK government has ceased providing free PPE to carers.
As a responsible carer, prioritising safety and protecting yourself and your clients is of utmost importance. By choosing cost-effective solutions that meet the demanding needs of your profession, you can ensure your own protection and the wellbeing of those you care for.
Asking for help
If you're a carer it can be a challenging role, with little financial reward for the hard work and long hours you need to put in. There's no shame in asking for additional support, whether it's financially, or for anything else.
If you're someone who cares for a disabled person at a different address, a live-in carer, or a care home assistant, everyone needs a little help at some point. Whether you need extra support from Social Services, or respite care for the person you look after to give yourself a break, always ask.
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