What if I take a break from caring?

You can take a break from caring for 4 out of every 26 weeks and continue to get Carer’s Allowance (CA), as long as:

• You have been giving 35 hours of care a week for 22 of the past 26 weeks, and
• The person you care for continues to get the qualifying benefit (Disability Living Allowance middle or high rate care, Personal Independence Payment standard or enhanced daily living component, Attendance Allowance or Constant Attendance Allowance).

 If you go into hospital, you will get Carer’s Allowance for up to 12 weeks, as long as:

• You have given 35 hours of care a week for 14 of the past 26 weeks, and
• The person you care for continues to receive a qualifying benefit.

If the person you care for goes into hospital you will still get CA as long as they get their disability benefit (this is normally 4 weeks). You will continue to get the Carer’s Premium for 8 weeks after your Carer’s Allowance ends. Make sure you tell the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if you or the person you care for has to go into hospital.

You can apply for Carer’s Allowance online or by completing a paper form. To ask for a claim form, contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit on 0345 608 4321.