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Who can get Carer's Allowance?

You may be able to get Carer's Allowance if you are aged 16 or over and spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a person getting Attendance Allowance, or Disability Living Allowance (at the middle or highest rate for personal care), or Constant Attendance Allowance (at or above the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, or basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension).

Who cannot get Carer's Allowance?

You cannot get Carer's Allowance if you are in full-time education with 21 hours or more a week of supervised study or earn more than £95 a week after certain deductions have been made (such as Income Tax).

• Carer's Allowance - eligibility

How much do you get?

The weekly rate is £50.55. This is reduced by the amount of certain other benefits, including State Pension, that you receive. If you receive certain other benefits at £50.55 or more a week, Carer's Allowance cannot be paid to you as well.

You may have to pay tax on the amount you receive.

You may be able to get an additional amount for your husband, wife or civil partner or someone living with you who looks after your dependent children.

How it's paid

Carer's Allowance is normally paid directly into any account of your choice which accepts Direct Payment of benefits.  This might be a bank, building society, or other account provider.

You may be able to get someone else to collect your Carer's Allowance if you wish. For help with this contact your bank, building society or other account provider.

If you would like more information about how you can be paid by other means contact the Carer's Allowance Unit - details are in the 'How to claim' section.

Effect on other benefits and entitlements

Claiming Carer's Allowance may affect any other benefits, allowances, pensions and entitlements you, or the person you care for, are receiving.  

• Carer's Allowance - effect on other benefits and entitlements

How to claim

You can ask for a claim form over the telephone, by contacting the Carer's Allowance Unit or your local benefits office or downloading the form from this website. You can also claim online.

• Carer's Allowance - how to claim
• Carer's Allowance online Opens new window

Changes in circumstances for you or the person you are caring for

Changes to your circumstances - and those of the person you care for - can affect your eligibility for Carer's Allowance, or the amount you get. For example, changes to your income or employment, if you go into full-time education or take a break from caring.

• Carer's Allowance - changes in circumstances

Making a complaint about the Disability and Carers Service

The Disability and Carers Service is part of the Department for Work and Pensions and provides financial help to disabled people and carers. It deals with claims for Carer's Allowance as well as several disability benefits.

If you are unhappy with the service the Disability and Carers Service has provided, there are various things you can do to complain.

• Making a complaint about the Disability and Carers Service (disabled people section)

Carer's Allowance - British Sign Language and subtitled film

A short film about Carer's Allowance - which is presented in British Sign Language, narrated and also subtitled - can be downloaded from Directgov. You can also view three films about disability benefits, including Disability Living Allowance. The information is also available on DVD, which you can request to be delivered to you.

• Disability benefits - British Sign Language and subtitled films