Carer’s Allowance is a form of financial assistance the UK government provides to individuals who dedicate a significant amount of their time to caring for someone who requires substantial care. It is designed to help ease the financial burden of caregiving responsibilities, providing a modest but valuable source of income to assist with daily expenses.
The allowance is paid directly into the caregiver’s bank account, you can receive the payments either weekly in advance or every four weeks. The government reviews the payment amount each year and may adjust the weekly rate to reflect any changes in the cost of living or other factors.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Carer’s Allowance Supplement, you must meet certain requirements. These guidelines ensure that help reaches those who need it most.
- You need to provide care for someone for a minimum of 35 hours each week.
- It doesn’t matter where the person you care for lives.
- Your weekly income, after expenses and taxes, must be £139 or less.
- If you receive a pension, it must be less than £81.90 per week.
- You need to be at least 16 years old.
- You cannot be a full-time student studying for 21 hours or more a week.
- Immigration control must not apply to you.
- You must have lived in England, Scotland, or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years and currently reside in one of these countries.
The Person You Care For
For the person you’re caring for to qualify you for Carer’s Allowance, they must already be receiving one of the following benefits:
- Adult Disability Payment – Daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate.
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – Daily living component.
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – Middle or highest rate for care.
- Attendance Allowance.
- Constant Attendance Allowance – Paid at or above the normal maximum rate alongside a disability benefit for an industrial injury.
- War Disablement Pension – With the Constant Attendance Allowance at the basic (full-day) rate.
- Armed Forces Independence Payment.
- Child Disability Payment – Middle or highest care rate.
What is the Payment Amount and its Schedule?
In June 2024, the first Carer’s Allowance Supplement of the year was issued, amounting to £288.60. To be eligible for this payment, you needed to be receiving Carer’s Allowance as of April 8, 2024. A second payment of £288.60 will be made in December 2024. To be eligible for this December payment, you must be receiving Carer’s Allowance by October 7, 2024.
How to Apply for Carer’s Allowance?
You can apply for Carer’s Allowance either online or by mail.
Online Application
You can submit your application online through the government’s official website.
Postal Application
If you prefer to apply by mail, you can download the forms from the government website or contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit to request one.
- Phone: 0800 731 0297
- Textphone: 0800 731 0317
- Relay UK (for those with speech or hearing difficulties): Dial 18001 followed by 0800 731 0297
The Carer’s Allowance Unit is available Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Once you download the form, you can either print and fill it out by hand using black ink or complete it electronically before printing. If you received a paper application from DWP, return it using the pre-addressed envelope provided. Otherwise, send the completed form to:
The Carer’s Allowance Unit is open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday. If you’re downloading the form from the government website, ensure you have the correct one. You can either print the form and fill it out by hand using a black pen or complete it electronically before printing it out.
If you received a paper application from the DWP, return it using the provided envelope. Alternatively, you can mail it to:
Mail Processing Facility A Wolverhampton WV98 2AB (Carer’s Allowance Unit)
Required Documents
- Bank Details: Have your bank account information ready before making any payments.
- Job Information: If you’re employed, please provide your latest payslip and job details.
- P45 Form: If your job has ended, you will need your P45 form.
- Course Details: If you’re a student, include information about your course.
- Earnings: Ensure your weekly income is not more than £151.
- Expenses: Keep track of any expenses, like pension contributions or costs for childcare or caring for a disabled person while you work.
- Care Recipient Information: You’ll need the care recipient’s date of birth, address, National Insurance number (if they’re over 16), and their Disability Living Allowance reference number.