Many people who look after someone else don't realise that they are a carer. Read our webpage Are you a carer? for more information on this.

There are two main benefits available to carers: Carer’s Allowance (in England and Wales) and Carer Support Payment (in Scotland). 

In Scotland, Carer’s Allowance is being replaced by Carer Support Payment. Unless you live in one of the pilot areas, you should apply for Carer’s Allowance as normal until the roll-out is complete in autumn 2024. If you are currently receiving Carer’s Allowance, you will be transferred to the new benefit once it has been rolled out – you will not need to re-apply for Carer Support Payment.

You may qualify for Carer’s Allowance, or Carer Support Payment in Scotland, if you:

• regularly spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone. This can include physically looking after them, any tasks you complete for them, and any time you spend keeping an eye on them. If they don't live with you and they visit, it can also include any time you spend preparing for their visit, cleaning up after they leave, and taking them back home.
• care for someone who receives one of these benefits:
  • Attendance Allowance (any rate)
  • the middle or higher rate care component of Disability Living Allowance
  • the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (any rate)
  • the daily living component of Adult Disability Payment, or the middle or highest care component of Child Disability Payment – in Scotland
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment
  • Constant Attendance Allowance (at £88.70 a week or above).
• earn less than £151 a week (after deductions). Money you get from personal or workplace pensions doesn't count as part of your earnings. If your income is different every week, because you are self employed or work on a zero or low hours contract, the DWP will look at your average earnings to see if you earn less than £151 on average.
• aren’t in education for more than 21 hours a week (if you're applying for Carer's Allowance).
• normally live in England or Wales (if you're applying for Carer's Allowance) or Scotland (if you're applying for Carer Support Payment). There are lots of other residency criteria if you're applying for Carer's Allowance, so visit Gov.uk to learn more.

You can still claim Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment if you’re getting a State Pension, but the rules are slightly different – see below.

Carer’s Allowance and Carer Support Payment are paid at up to £81.90 a week (2024/25 rate).

In Scotland, you’ll also get a Carer’s Allowance Supplement paid automatically twice a year. Visit mygov.scot/carers-allowance-supplement for more information.

If you’re already getting more than £81.90 a week from certain other benefits, such as State Pension, you won’t actually receive payments. Instead, you will have an ‘underlying entitlement’ to Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment. This is because of the overlapping benefits rule. This is when you qualify for two or more benefits, but can only be paid one of these benefits at a time. Although you can’t be paid Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment, this means that you’re recognised as a carer. 

Underlying entitlement means you may receive more money with any means-tested benefits you currently get, such as Pension Credit or Housing Benefit. This extra money is called a Carer’s Premium, or a Carer’s Addition if it’s paid with Pension Credit. If you didn’t previously qualify for these benefits, you may find you can now claim them for the first time. 

It’s still worth applying for Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment even if you have overlapping benefits, particularly if you’re on a low income or over State Pension age. Call our free Helpline to get a benefits check and make sure you're eligible. You can also read our factsheet Underlying entitlement to carers' benefits for more information.

If your State Pension is less than £81.90, then you can receive Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment to top it up to this amount.