Making a claim for Carers Allowance

Making a claim for Carers Allowance in 4 easy steps

Step 1

Check the person you care for is in receipt of Personal Independence Payments, Disability Living Allowance at middle or High rate or Attendance Allowance.

Some other benefits are included however you should check with the Carers Allowance Unit which ones count.

Check your underlying Entitlement>

Step 2

Check your meet the eligibility criteria.

Check Eligibility Criteria>

Step 3

Complete the DS700 form to apply for carers allowance.

You can complete it on your computer and print it out.

Complete DS700 Form>

Step 4

Sign the DS700 Form and send it to the address on the application form.

It usually takes around 6 weeks to process your application.

If your eligibility for Carers Allowance changes at any time, you must notify the DWP immediately.

While you are here - why not check that you are claiming what you are entitled to.

In most circumstances, carers have not been informed of their entitlement to claim other benefits. Use our interactive checklist below to find out what you could claim for.

If you are in employment, there may be additional benefits that you are entitled to.

Click the link below to find out more.

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 £151 a week, you may be eligible for £81.90 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 our 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 £151 a week, you may be eligible for £81.90 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 our 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 £81.90 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 £81.90, 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 our 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.