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Carer's Allowance is money for people who care for someone who has a disability.
You can get Carer's Allowance if you are over 16 and you care for the person for at least 35 hours a week. You do not qualify for Carer’s Allowance if you are in full-time education.
The person you care for must be getting a benefit because of their disability, for example, Attendance Allowance or Disabled Living Allowance at the middle or high rate for personal care. You do not need to be living with the person you are caring for.
Before you make a claim for Carer's Allowance, you should check with the person you are caring for, as they may lose some of the benefits they receive if you are successful, such as a severe disability premium.
You do not have to have paid any national insurance contributions to get Carer's Allowance.
If you are in paid work, you might still be able to get Carer's Allowance but you must not be earning more than £100 each week (net). It does not matter if you have savings as these will not be taken into account.
Carer's Allowance is money that you can spend as you want. It is usually paid into your bank or building society account. You can be paid at a post office in some cases. It is paid as long as you care for the person.
If you have a right to Carer's Allowance, you might qualify for extra money (called 'a carer's premium') if you get:
If you get Carer's Allowance, you will also get a Christmas bonus.
The weekly rate is £53.90. This is reduced by the amount of certain other benefits that you may get, including State Retirement Pension. Some people get an extra amount for your husband, wife, civil partner or someone living with you who looks after your dependent children. However, this additional amount is being phased out from 6 April 2010. You may be able to get an extra amount for your husband, wife or civil partner or someone living with you who looks after your dependent children. If you get certain benefits (see above), you might get a carer's premium of £30.05 a week.
Carer's Allowance is a taxable benefit. However, the extra amount you get if you have dependent children does not count as a taxable benefit. You must tell your tax office if you start getting Carer's Allowance.
Claim on form DS700 (or DS700(SP) if you are getting State Retirement Pension. You can get the form from your local benefits office or by contacting the Carer's Allowance Unit on 0845 608 4321, textphone 0845 604 5312. Or in Northern Ireland, phone 028 9090 6186 for an application form.
Download the Carer's Allowance claim form (link opens in a new window) from the Directgov website.
In England, Wales and Scotland, you can claim Carer's Allowance online (link opens in a new window).
In England, Wales and Scotland, you can make a claim by phoning Jobcentre Plus on: 0800 055 6688.
If you are waiting to hear if the person you care for is getting a benefit, you should still make a claim.
When you have made your claim, you may have to go for an interview. Your partner may also have to attend an interview with a personal adviser as a condition of you getting Carer's Allowance.
You may be able to backdate your claim, for up to three months. You should ask for this on your claim form. You do not have to give a reason why you are claiming late.
You must give your national insurance number and evidence of who you are, for example, a driving licence or birth certificate.
The Turn2us Benefit Checker can help you find out if you qualify for Carer's Allowance.
There are lots of organisations for carers. For example, you could call the Carers UK (link opens in a new window) helpline on: 0808 808 7777 or the Age UK (link opens in a new window) helpline on 0800 169 6565 or visit one of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers (link opens in a new window) centres.
The Children's Society (link opens in a new window) also has a website for young carers.
The Citizens Advice website (link opens in a new window) can give you more information about Carer's Allowance.
Directgov, the government website, (link opens in a new window) has more information about Carer's Allowance.
Find an adviser tool.
Frequently asked questions about carers
Useful links
This information has been produced by Citizens Advice.
Last updated: 12 May 2010
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