Extra money 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. The current situation is that you must not be in full-time education of 21 hours or more a week - or doing a course described as full-time by the college or establishment providing it (although certain exceptions apply for some people on these courses if you are not actually doing more than 21 hours). The rules are complicated. Seek specialist advice if this applies to you.
• not earning more than £100 a week 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.