Care and support

What is carer’s allowance?

Carer’s allowance (CA) is a weekly benefit that you can get if you are looking after a disabled person. The disabled person must be getting attendance allowance or either of the two highest rates of disability living allowance (care).

You can get CA if you are married or single, a man or a woman, or retired. You do not have to be a relative of the disabled person or live at the same address. You do not need a national insurance contribution record to get CA. Your savings and your income are ignored (although there is an earnings rule – see below). Your partner’s income (including earnings) has no effect on your right to CA. However CA is taxable and counts as income for means tested benefits. You need to be able to say that you are caring for the disabled person for at least 35 hours a week.