Claiming Carer's Allowance in 4 Easy Steps

Follow the official union guide to securing your underlying entitlement.
Step 1

Confirm the person you care for receives a qualifying benefit like PIP, DLA (Middle/High), or Attendance Allowance.

Check Benefits >
Step 2

Verify you meet the eligibility: 35+ hours of care per week, not in full-time education, and within the earnings limit.

Check Eligibility >
Step 3

Gather your National Insurance number, bank details, and latest payslip/P60 if currently employed.

Prepare Details >
Step 4

Submit your claim online by clicking apply now or via post here. Remember, claims can be backdated for up to 3 months.

Apply Now >

Check Your Entitlements

Many carers are unaware of additional benefits they can claim. Select your current status below to learn more.

Employment

If you are currently working, there are specific thresholds and additional credits you may be entitled to.

I can work >

Full-Time Care

Most unpaid carers cannot work. We can help you understand the full scope of benefits available for full-time support.

I can't work >

Retirement

Claiming a State Pension affects Carer's Allowance. Discover how "Underlying Entitlement" works for you.

I am retired >

As carers, we often can find ourselves going round and round in circles trying to find the help we need, and most of us just do not have the time. Whether your looking for information on government grants, social workers, finding the right paid carer, or what sorts of funding we’re entitled to.

We spend the time searching for the information, only to be told that we are not entitled, so to make it easier, we have searched the internet and created our financial checklist - no more time being wasted searching for it.

*We do not provide financial or benefits advice but we'll share helpful information that we have found. You can contact the Citizens Advice Bureau or The Carers Allowance Hotline for more information.

I am employed

☐ Carer’s Allowance (or Carer Support Payment in Scotland)
If you provide 35 hours of unpaid care a week, and are earning less than £194 a week, you may be eligible for £83.30 a week
(follow the making a claim in 4 easy steps above).
☐ Carer’s Credit
If you provide 20 hours of unpaid care a week, Carer’s Credits will help fill the National Insurance gaps to ensure we have enough credits for our State Pension later on. This is because you may not be working enough hours to build this. You’ll automatically get this if you receive Carer’s Allowance.
☐ Carer’s Element
If you’re on a low income and receiving Universal Credit, you may be entitled to an additional £185.86 a month for looking after someone. This is known as the Carer’s Element of Universal Credit. It’s worth checking with the Universal Credit team on 0800 328 5644 to see how it’ll work for you.
☐ Attendance Allowance
This is a benefit for the person you care for, if they’ve reached state pension age and have a physical or mental health disability. It's a payment to help with the extra care needs they may have.
About attendance allowance                                        (opens a new window)
Make a claim for attendance allowance                    (opens a new window)
☐ Disability Living Allowance
If you're caring for someone who is under 16, they may be eligible for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Child Disability Payment in Scotland.
About Disability Living Allowance                           (opens a new window)
Make A Claim (for persons under 16)                    (opens a new window)
☐ Personal Independence Payment
If the person you care for is over 16 (or of state pension age), they may be eligible for a Personal Independence Payment (PIP). PIP can help with the extra costs of living and there are two components: A daily living part, to help with everyday tasks, and a mobility part for help with getting around.
About PIP                                                                    (opens a new window)
Make A Claim for PIP                                                (opens a new window)
☐ Direct payments from a Carer’s Assessment
A Carer’s Assessment with your local council can open doors to more help, including with the costs of caring. This could be in the form of Direct Payments - a one-off payment to us to either help us take breaks, pay for driving lessons or other ways depending on your needs as a carer.
☐ Grants from your local council
Sometimes, your local council may offer grants to help with the costs of caring, such as home adaptations or equipment. It’s also helpful to know that you don’t have to pay VATs on adaptations if the person you care for has a disability - also known as a VAT relief.
It’s worth checking with the council and your local Carers Support Organisation. Turn2Us also has a helpful tool to help you search for local grants. (you can check our local area authority support sheets here to find out what support is available in your area).
☐ Council Tax Discount
If you’re on a low income and claiming a benefit, we may be eligible for a Council Tax reduction. Depending on where you live, your councils will have a different way of offering these so it’s worth checking.
☐ Discounts for carers
Make sure that you’re saving where we can with a list of places offering money off for carers here. See the full Carers’ Guide to suggested outing destinations across the UK.

I cant work because of my commitments

☐ Carer’s Allowance (or Carer Support Payment in Scotland)
If you’re providing 35 hours of unpaid care a week, and earning less than £194 a week, you may be eligible for £83.30 a week (use the making a claim in 4 easy steps).
☐ Carer’s Credit
If you’re providing 20 hours of unpaid care a week, Carer’s Credits will help fill the National Insurance gaps to ensure you have enough credits for your State Pension later on (as you won’t be working enough hours to build this). You’ll automatically get this if you receive Carer’s Allowance.
☐ Carer’s Element
If you’re on a low income and receiving Universal Credit, you may be entitled to an additional £185.86 a month for looking after someone. This is known as the Carer’s Element of Universal Credit. It’s worth checking with the Universal Credit team on 0800 328 5644 to see how it’ll work for you.
☐ Attendance Allowance
This is a benefit for the person you care for if they’ve reached state pension age and have a physical or mental health disability. It's a payment to help with the extra care needs they may have.
About attendance allowance                           (opens a new window)
Make a claim for attendance allowance      (opens a new window)
☐ Disability Living Allowance
If you're caring for someone who is under 16, they may be eligible for Disability Living Allowance or Child Disability Payment in Scotland.
About Disability Living Allowance                  (opens a new window)
Make A Claim (for persons under 16)            (opens a new window)
☐ Personal Independence Payment
If the person you care for is over 16 (or of state pension age), they may be eligible for a Personal Independence Payment (PIP). PIP can help with the extra costs of living and there are two components: A daily living part, to help with everyday tasks, and a mobility part for help with getting around.
About PIP                                                          (opens a new window)
Make A Claim for PIP                                      (opens a new window)
☐ Direct payments from a Carer’s Assessment
A Carer’s Assessment with your local council can open doors to more help, including with the costs of caring. This could be in the form of Direct Payments - a one-off payment to you to either help you take breaks, pay for driving lessons or other ways depending on your needs as carers.
☐ Grants from your local council
Sometimes, your local council may offer grants to help with the costs of caring, such as home adaptations or equipment. It’s also helpful to know that you don’t have to pay VATs on adaptations if the person you care for has a disability - also known as a VAT relief.
It’s worth checking with the council and your local Carers Support Organisation. Turn2Us also has a helpful tool to help us search for local grants. (you can check our local area authority support sheets here to find out what support is available in your area).
☐ Council Tax Discount
If you’re on a low income and claiming a benefit, you may be eligible for a Council Tax reduction. Depending on where you live, your councils will have a different way of offering these so it’s worth checking.
☐ Three UK heating benefits
There are three main heating benefits from the UK Government that we may be eligible for; The Warm Home Discount, the Winter Fuel Payment, and the Cold Weather Payment. 
☐ Discounts for carers
Make sure that you’re saving where we can with a list of places offering money off for carers here. See the full Carers’ Guide to suggested outing destinations across the UK.

I am over 65 and retired

☐ Carer’s Allowance (or Carer Support Payment in Scotland)
If your State Pension is less than the £83.30 a week and you are providing 35 hours or more of care per week, then you can receive Carer’s Allowance as a “top up” to make up for the difference. If your State Pension is more than £83.30, you won’t be entitled to Carer’s Allowance.
☐ Attendance Allowance
If you have a physical or mental health disability and need more help, you may be entitled to Attendance Allowance. Attendance Allowance has two different rates depending on the extent of your own care needs.
The person you care for may also be entitled to Attendance Allowance, if they have a disability. You can receive Carer’s Allowance and Attendance Allowance.
About attendance allowance                             (opens a new window)
Make a claim for attendance allowance         (opens a new window)
☐ Disability Living Allowance
If you're caring for someone who is under 16, they may be eligible for Disability Living Allowance or Child Disability Payment in Scotland.
About Disability Living Allowance                         (opens a new window)
Make A Claim (for persons under 16)                  (opens a new window)
☐Personal Independence Payment
If the person you care for is over 16 (or of state pension age), they may be eligible for a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) under certain circumstances. PIP can help with the extra costs of living and there are two components: A daily living part, to help with everyday tasks, and a mobility part for help with getting around.
About PIP                                                                  (opens a new window)
Make A Claim for PIP                                              (opens a new window)
☐ Pension Credit - The Carer Addition (also known as a ‘carer premium’)
If you’re on a low income, you may be entitled to Pension Credit - separate from State Pension. This is extra money to help with your living costs such as housing or rent. As it’s means tested, it’s also important to note that State Pension, any other pensions, and Carer’s Allowance count as income if you’re receiving any of these.
About Pension Credit                                            (opens a new window)
Make A Claim for Pension Credit                        (opens a new window)
☐ Council Tax Discount
If you’re on a low income and claiming a benefit, you may be eligible for a Council Tax reduction. Depending on where you live, your councils will have a different way of offering these so it’s worth checking.
☐ Three UK heating benefits
There are three main heating benefits from the UK Government that we may be eligible for; The Warm Home Discount, the Winter Fuel Payment, and the Cold Weather Payment. 
☐ Direct payments from a Carer’s Assessment
A Carer’s Assessment with your local council can open doors to more help, including with the costs of caring. This could be in the form of Direct Payments - a one-off payment to you to either help you take breaks, pay for driving lessons or other ways depending on your needs as carers.
☐ Grants from your local council
Sometimes, your local council may offer grants to help with the costs of caring, such as home adaptations or equipment. It’s also helpful to know that you don’t have to pay VATs on adaptations if the person you care for has a disability - also known as a VAT relief.
It’s worth checking with the council and your local Carers Support Organisation. Turn2Us also has a helpful tool to help us search for local grants. (you can check our local area authority support sheets here to find out what support is available in your area).
☐ Discounts for carers
Make sure that you’re saving where we can with a list of places offering money off for carers here. See the full Carers’ Guide to suggested outing destinations across the UK.


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