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 £132 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.

How much is Carer’s Allowance?

You could receive up to £69.70 a week if you are a full-time mental health carer (caring for someone for 35 hours or more a week).

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

How do I apply for Carer’s Allowance?

Apply online

You can apply for Carer’s Allowance online at the Gov UK website.

Apply by post

You will need to download and print off the Carer’s Allowance DS700 form to apply by post.

You can choose to fill in the form online and then print it off, or you can print a blank form and fill it in by hand. Details of where to send the DS700 form will be included on the form.

Tips before applying for Carer’s Allowance

Before you claim Carer’s Allowance, you will find it easier if you have the following information ready:

• Your National Insurance (NI) Number.
  • If you have a partner, you will need their NI number too.
• Your bank or building society account details.
• Your employment details and your latest payslip if you are working.
  • If you are self-employed, you will need your average weekly earnings information.
  • If your earnings are over £132 net (money after deductions), you may not qualify for Carer’s Allowance.
• Your most recent P45 if you have left work to care for someone.
• Details of your course if you are studying.
  • If you are studying for more than 21 hours a week, you may not qualify for Carer’s Allowance.
• Any expense details. Expenses can include:
  • Childcare costs: How much you spend to pay for childcare.
  • Carer costs: How much you spend for an external mental health carer to help when you are working.
  • Pension contributions.
• The date of birth and address of the person you are caring for.
• The National Insurance (NI) number of the person you are caring for if they are over 16 years old.
• The Disability Living Allowance (DLA) reference for the person you are caring for if they are under 16 years old.