Carer's Allowance - How do I claim Carer's Allowance?

If you are waiting to hear if the person you care for is getting a qualifying disability benefit, you should still make a claim.

England and Wales

You can apply online, by making an application on the GOV.UK website. 

You can request a claim form over the phone, by calling the Carer's Allowance Unit: 

• Telephone: 0800 731 0297
• Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 731 0297
• Video Relay Service: British Sign Language (BSL) users 

The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm. The form comes with notes telling your how to complete it. 

You can download a Carer's Allowance claim form online, complete it and send it by post to: 

• Carer's Allowance Unit 
• Mail Handling Site A 
• Wolverhampton 
• WV98 2AB 

Northern Ireland 

You can apply online, by making an application on the NI Direct website. 

You can request a claim form over the phone, by calling the Disability and Carers Service: 

• Telephone: 0800 587 0912
• Textphone: 0800 012 1574
• Video Relay Service: Irish Sign Language (ISL) and British Sign Language (BSL) users 
• Email: belfastcastlecourt.caenquiries@dfcni.gov.uk 

The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. The form comes with notes telling your how to complete it. 

You can download a Carer's Allowance claim form online (here if you get a State Pension) , complete it and send it by post to: 

• Disability and Carers Service 
• Mail Opening Unit
• PO Box 42
• Limavady 
• BT49 4AN

What documents will I need to claim Carer’s Allowance?

You must send the following documents to support your claim:

• If you are working – the payslip immediately before the period you want to claim from and any received since
• If you are self employed – the most recent finalised accounts for your business

If you do not have this evidence, you should not delay claiming.

When will my Carer’s Allowance claim begin?

A Carer’s Allowance claim will begin from the date the claim form is received by the benefit office or submitted online.

A Carer’s Allowance claim can be backdated for up to three months before this date if you would have been entitled to it earlier. It does not matter why your claim is late. Request this when claiming.

You can also make a claim for Carer’s Allowance up to three months before you qualify. Claiming it in advance could be helpful if you currently earn over £196 a week, but plan to reduce your hours or stop working.

Change of circumstances

You must report changes in your circumstances which might affect your entitlement to this benefit.

You can report changes in your circumstances online:

• Report online (England and Wales)
• Report online (Northern Ireland)

You can also report a change of circumstances by phone:

England and Wales

• Telephone: 0800 731 0297
• Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 731 0297
• Video Relay Service: British Sign Language (BSL) users 

Northern Ireland

• Telephone: 0800 587 0912
• Textphone: 0800 012 1574
• Video Relay Service: Irish Sign Language (ISL) and British Sign Language (BSL) users