Carer's Allowance is a weekly benefit available to people who care for a disabled adult or child.
Who can claim?
You can claim Carer's Allowance if:
- You are aged 16 or over, AND
- You spend 35 hours or more a week caring for a child or adult, AND
- The child or adult gets Attendance Allowance or the middle or higher care rate of Disability Living Allowance, AND
- You earn no more than £95 a week (from Oct 2009) net from any paid work that you do. Some care costs and work expenses can be deducted in working out this net figure - get advice.
Note: If you are of working age, when you first claim Carer's Allowance, you no longer have to attend interviews to discuss work options with Jobcentre Plus. This follows a change made in October 2005. However, if you are also claiming Income Support, Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance, you may be invited for an interview to discuss work after about eight weeks. You can ask them to delay interviews if you have a good reason - seek advice.
Note: Since October 2002 men and women aged 65 and over can newly claim Carer's Allowance.
Some facts about Carer's Allowance
Carer's Allowance is a weekly benefit for carers, with possible increases for a partner.
Carer's Allowance entitles you to Class 1 national insurance contributions to protect your benefit and pension rights. It is taxable, but it cannot affect your husband or wife’s tax.
If you look after someone who is waiting for a decision on a claim for Attendance Allowance (AA) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA), you can wait until their award is made before you claim. If you claim Carers Allowance within three months of the award of AA or DLA, your Carers Allowance can be backdated to the start date of the AA or DLA award.
Carer’s Allowance is withdrawn if the disabled person’s Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance stops.
You can have 4 weeks time off from caring every 6 months, without it affecting your entitlement to Carer’s Allowance.
You cannot get Carer’s Allowance if you are studying for 21 hours or more a week. Time spent studying by yourself at college or at home may count. Get advice.
If you were receiving Invalid Care Allowance just before April 2003, Carer's Allowance may include an increase for a child. For new claimants, from April 2003, Carer's Allowance does not include extra for a child. Parents with children should claim the new Child Tax Credit. Seek advice.
If you have a restricted immigration status please get advice. You may be unable to claim Carer’s Allowance until you have a positive decision on your status.
Find out how Carer's Allowance affects other benefits
How can I claim Carer's Allowance?
Ask for form DS700 at your local Jobcentre Plus office or the Post Office. You can get up to 3 month's arrears if you met the rules earlier, with no need for good reasons for the delay in applying.
You can also claim online (external website).
Information on other websites
Directgov
Government information about caring for someone.
Adviceguide
Information from Citizen's Advice about benefits for carers.
Need more help? Live in Manchester? Send us an email
Information Provider:
Manchester Advice
Date Reviewed:
21 April 2009
Links Updated:
15 March 2010
This information is for guidance only and is not an authoritative statement on the law. Please read our Terms and Conditions.
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