- Carer's Allowance at a glance
- Who can claim Carer's Allowance
- DWP's review of older Carer's Allowance overpayments
- How it affects tax and other benefits
- Other help you may be able to get
- How to claim and get paid
- Scotland and moving across the border
- My advice on Carer's Allowance
- Frequently asked questions
Carer's Allowance is a weekly benefit for people who care for someone for at least 35 hours a week, where the person being cared for gets certain benefits. GOV.UK says you could get 86.45 pounds a week, and you don't have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.
If you're looking after a parent, a partner or a friend for a big part of every week, this is the main benefit built for you, and it's worth checking even if you've never thought of yourself as a 'carer'. Here's what GOV.UK's Carer's Allowance guide says about who qualifies, what you get and the rules around it, with the rate as GOV.UK shows it as of Nov 2026.
Carer's Allowance at a glance
| Question | What GOV.UK says |
|---|---|
| Weekly rate | 86.45 pounds a week |
| Hours of care | At least 35 hours a week |
| The person you care for | Must get certain benefits |
| Relationship | You don't have to be related to them or live with them |
| Caring for more than one person | You don't get paid extra |
| Two carers, one person | Only one of you can claim |
| Tax | Taxable if your income is over the Personal Allowance |
| Payment | Weekly in advance or every 4 weeks, into an account such as your bank account |
| Extra | National Insurance credits for each week you get it |
Who can claim Carer's Allowance
The two tests at the heart of it are time and the other person's benefits. GOV.UK says you could get Carer's Allowance if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. You don't have to be related to them, and you don't have to live with them, so a neighbour or friend who does the caring can qualify as much as a family member.
Two limits matter. You don't get paid extra if you care for more than one person, and if someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim. If you're sharing care with a sibling, for example, decide between you who claims.
GOV.UK's guide also has sections on eligibility and on what happens if you're working. Check both before you claim, because they set out the detail behind the headline rules.
DWP's review of older Carer's Allowance overpayments
This is the part of GOV.UK's guide that's easy to skip past. GOV.UK says DWP is reassessing Carer's Allowance overpayments going back to 2015. If you've been affected, you may get a refund, or your debt reduced or cancelled.
You don't need to do anything to start it. GOV.UK says you don't need to contact the Carer's Allowance Unit about a reassessment, and that DWP will contact you with a decision or if it needs more information. If you were told in the past that you'd been overpaid, watch your post for a letter from DWP rather than paying for advice.
How it affects tax and other benefits
GOV.UK warns that Carer's Allowance can affect the other benefits that both you and the person you care for get. That's the main reason to check before you claim: the extra money for you can change what the other person receives. GOV.UK's guide has a section on the effect on other benefits that explains this.
On tax, GOV.UK says you have to pay tax on Carer's Allowance if your income is over the Personal Allowance. On the plus side, for each week you get it, you automatically get National Insurance credits, which help protect your own record.
The person you look after may be able to claim their own allowance, so see Attendance Allowance.
Other help you may be able to get
GOV.UK lists other support a carer may be able to apply for:
- support from your local council
- a Council Tax Reduction
- Universal Credit, if you're on a low income or out of work
- Pension Credit, if you're over working age
- grants and bursaries to help pay for courses and training
How to claim and get paid
- Check that you care for the person at least 35 hours a week and that they get one of the qualifying benefits listed in GOV.UK's eligibility section.
- Read GOV.UK's section on the effect on other benefits, for you and for the person you care for.
- If you work, read GOV.UK's 'If you're working' section before you apply.
- Make a claim through GOV.UK's 'Make a claim' section.
- Choose to be paid weekly in advance or every 4 weeks, into an account such as your bank account.
- Report any change in your circumstances using GOV.UK's 'Report a change in circumstances' section.
Scotland and moving across the border
If you live in Scotland, GOV.UK says you apply for Carer Support Payment instead. If you get Carer's Allowance and move from England or Wales to Scotland, you must tell DWP and make a new claim for Carer Support Payment, and your Carer's Allowance will stop 13 weeks after you move. The same applies if you're waiting for the outcome of an application or you've challenged a decision.
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Moving the other way, if you get Carer Support Payment and move to England or Wales, you must report your move to Social Security Scotland and make a new claim for Carer's Allowance as soon as you move. GOV.UK's guide is also available in Welsh and in an easy read format.
If you're caring and need flexible income around it, these passive income ideas for the UK, this guide to part-time online tutoring and these freelance writing jobs for beginners are worth a look, but read GOV.UK's working rules first.
My advice on Carer's Allowance
If you're giving someone 35 hours or more of care every week and they get one of the qualifying benefits, check your claim on GOV.UK, starting with the section on how Carer's Allowance affects the other person's benefits. Agree with any other carer which of you claims, keep the National Insurance credits in mind as part of the value, and if you've had an overpayment in the past, wait for DWP to contact you.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Carer's Allowance a week?
GOV.UK says you could get 86.45 pounds a week, as of Nov 2026.
How many hours do I need to care for to get Carer's Allowance?
At least 35 hours a week, and the person you care for must get certain benefits.
Does the person I care for need to live with me?
No. GOV.UK says you don't have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.
Can two people claim Carer's Allowance for the same person?
No. If someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim.
Is Carer's Allowance taxable?
Yes, GOV.UK says you have to pay tax on it if your income is over the Personal Allowance.
Can I get Carer's Allowance in Scotland?
No. In Scotland you apply for Carer Support Payment instead.
