Home » Benefits and pensions » Carer's Allowance

Official links

Who handles it

Step by step

1. Check the person you care for already gets a qualifying benefit, such as the daily living part of PIP or Attendance Allowance.
2. Check your own eligibility: you are 16 or over, not in full-time education and your earnings are under the weekly limit.
3. Apply online on GOV.UK, or by post. You can backdate your claim by up to 3 months.
4. In Scotland apply for Carer Support Payment to Social Security Scotland. In Northern Ireland use nidirect.
5. Report changes, such as starting a job or the person no longer getting their disability benefit.

What you need

• Your National Insurance number (and your partner's, if you have one)
• Your bank or building society details
• Your latest payslip and job details if you work, or your P45 if you recently stopped
• The date of birth, address and National Insurance number of the person you care for

Common mistakes

• Not checking first how it affects the benefits of the person you care for: some extra disability amounts can stop.
• Two carers claiming for the same person: only one can get it.
• Not reporting changes, which can lead to an overpayment you must repay or a penalty.

More in Benefits and pensions

• Universal Credit
• Check which benefits you can get
• Child Benefit
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Check your State Pension
• Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction
• Pension Credit
• Attendance Allowance
• Sure Start Maternity Grant