What is Carer’s Allowance?

Carer’s Allowance is a benefit you can claim if you spend more than 35 hours a week caring for someone with a mental health condition.

How do I know if I can claim Carer’s Allowance?

If you are a mental health carer, you qualify for Carer’s Allowance if you meet the following conditions:

• You spend more than 35 hours a week caring for someone with a mental health condition.
• You are 16 or older.
• You are not in full-time education:
  • You must not be studying more than 21 hours a week.
• You live in the UK and are not subject to immigration control.
• You work but earn less than £151 a week after tax and national insurance deductions and any pension contributions:
  • You can also claim Carer’s Allowance if you do not work.
  • Gross pay is your earnings before tax, NI, and pension deductions.
  • Net pay is the money you receive after tax, NI, and pension deductions have taken place.
• The person you care for receives one of the following benefits:
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – standard or enhanced daily living component.
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA – being replaced with PIP.
  • Attendance Allowance or,
  • Constant Attendance Allowance with industrial injuries disablement benefit or war disablement pension.
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment
  • Child Disability Payment - the middle or highest care rate,
  • Adult Disability Payment - daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate.

How much is Carer’s Allowance?

If you are a full-time mental health carer (caring for someone for 35 hours or more a week), you can find the latest amounts you could receive on the Gov.UK webpage for Carer's Allowance. In Scotland, you may also get a Carer's Allowance Supplement.

The Carers Allowance Unit will inform you of how much money you will get if they approve your claim.

If you are currently in receipt of Carer's Allowance, you’ll be automatically moved to Carer Support Payment by spring 2025. You will receive letters from the Department for Work and Pensions or Social Security Scotland when the move begins.