Website of the UK government

Online

To claim online use the link below and follow the on-screen instructions. The first page will check that you have the right software and show you what to do if you haven't. You'll then be able to complete an electronic form to claim Carer's Allowance.

• Carers Allowance online (opens new window)

Contact the Carer's Allowance Unit

The Carer's Allowance Unit can send you a claim form. Tell them if you need a form in Welsh, Braille, large print or on audio tape. 

Their address is Carer's Allowance Unit, Palatine House, Lancaster Road, Preston, PR1 1HB

Telephone: 01253 856 123

Textphone: 01772 562 202

You can ring these numbers between 9am and 5pm Monday to Thursday and between 9am and 4.30pm Friday.

If your first language is not English ask for information about the interpreter service.

Fax: 01772 899 354

Email: cau.customer-services@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Ask the Benefit Enquiry Line

You can call the Benefit Enquiry Line for a claim form and advice on how to fill it in. 

Telephone: 0800 88 22 00 

Textphone: 0800 24 33 55

You can ring these numbers between 8.30am and 6.30pm Monday to Friday and between 9am and 1pm on Saturdays.

Ask a local office for a form

You can get in touch with any Jobcentre Plus office or Pension Centre. You can find the phone number or address in the phone book.

• Find your local Jobcentre Plus office (opens new window)

Download the claim form

You can download help notes and a claim form to print off and complete.

If you download the form, please complete and return it as soon as possible as the date your form is received will affect the date from which you will start to receive Carer's Allowance.

• Carer's Allowance claim form (PDF, 320 KB) (opens new window)
• Help with PDF files

If you get any amount of State Pension you can make a claim for Carer's Allowance using a shortened claim form. It contains help notes.

• Carer's Allowance claim form if you receive any amount of State Pension (PDF document, 188K) (opens new window)

If you want to claim extra money for a dependent adult, you should also download the 'Carer's Allowance - extra money for a dependent adult' claim form to print off and complete.

• Carer's Allowance - extra money for a dependent adult claim form (PDF 270 KB) (opens new window)

When to claim Carer's Allowance

Claim now if you look after someone who is getting or has recently been awarded:

Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance (at the middle or highest rate of the care component) or Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal maximum rate as an addition to Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, or at or above the basic (full day) rate as an addition to a War Disablement Pension.

Do not delay or you could lose benefit. 

Claim later if you look after someone who has not yet claimed one of the benefits mentioned above, or has claimed but is waiting for a decision.

The person you look after should consider claiming one of these benefits straight away if they have not claimed already.  If they are awarded one of the benefits, you should claim Carer's Allowance straight away (within three months of the Attendance Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance decision, if possible).

Do not delay or you could lose benefit.

Claiming other benefits and entitlements at the same time

Because a Carer's Allowance award may allow entitlement to income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, you may wish to claim some of these benefits or entitlements at the same time as you claim Carer's Allowance.

• Benefits and financial support (general money, tax and benefits section)

More about Carer's Allowance

• Carer's Allowance - introduction
• Carer's Allowance - who can get it
• Carer's Allowance - effect on other benefits and entitlements
• Carer's Allowance - changes in circumstances