Care and support

Benefits for carers

A carer is a person of any age who looks after a sick, ill or disabled friend, relative or neighbour. You do not have to live with the person you care for.

Carer’s Allowance is the main weekly benefit for carers. It is paid to people who regularly look after someone else.

The care you provide does not have to be nursing or personal care. It can include help with shopping, cleaning, and generally keeping an eye on someone.

You should claim if you are

• aged 16 or over
• studying less than 21 hours a week
• not earning more than £95 a week (from 1st October 2007) after certain expenses; only your earnings count – not your partner’s or the disabled person’s
• looking after someone, who gets attendance allowance or the middle or high rate care component of disability living allowance, for at least 35 hours each week.

Carer’s allowance is not means-tested, so your savings will not stop you getting it.
You can receive carer’s allowance for looking after your partner. If you and your partner are both carers, you can both get carer’s allowance if you are caring for different people.