How is Carer’s Allowance (CA) affected by other benefits?

 How is Carer’s Allowance (CA) affected by other benefits?

You cannot get Carer’s Allowance (CA) if you get:

• Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance,
• State Retirement Pension, or
• Contribution-based Jobseekers Allowance.

This is called the ‘overlapping benefits’ rule.

If you claim income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit and some other benefits you can still get the full amount of CA. But these benefits will be reduced by the amount of CA you get.

You should apply for CA even if you are getting these benefits. If you qualify for CA you get an additional amount called a 'Carer’s Premium'. You can find out more about carer’s premiums in the  What is the Carer’s Premium section. 

Severe Disability Premium

The person you care for may get a Severe Disability Premium (SDP) on top of their benefits. They will get the SDP if they:

• Live alone,
• Get means-tested benefits like income-related Employment and Support Allowance and Housing Benefit,
• Get the care component of Disability Living Allowance at either the middle or higher rate or the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment at the standard or enhanced rate, and
• Do not have a full-time carer who is getting Carer’s Allowance.

It is important to know that, if you claim carer’s allowance, the person you care for will lose their Severe Disability Premium. This does not apply if the person you care for claims Universal Credit as this benefit does not include a Severe Disability Premium. If you get a Carer’s Premium rather than Carer’s Allowance then the person you care for should still get the SDP.