Carer’s Allowance

If you are over 16 and spend at least 35 hours per week caring for some who has an illness or disability, you may be entitled to a carer’s allowance payment.

To qualify, the individual you care for must receive one of the following benefits:

  • a personal independence payment to support daily living
  • the middle or highest rate of disability living allowance
  • constant attendance allowance at/above the normal maximum rate with an industrial injuries disablement benefit
  • constant attendance allowance at the basic full day rate with a war disablement pension
  • Armed Forces independence payment

Claiming Carer’s Allowance can affect the benefits the person being cared receives.

You may not be eligible for Carer’s Allowance if you earn more than a certain amount per week.

How do I apply?

For further information and advice on applying for Carer’s Allowance and other benefits, visit:

Important information: changes to Carer’s Allowance in Scotland

In Scotland, Carer’s Allowance will be changing to Carer Support Payment. This will be a phased transition. Carer Support Payment will be available in some areas from spring 2024 and across Scotland by autumn 2024.

If you get Carer’s Allowance and live in Scotland, you do not need to apply for Carer Support Payment. Your benefit will move to Carer Support Payment. This is planned to happen between February 2024 and spring 2025.

You cannot get Carer Support Payment and Carer’s Allowance at the same time.

You can find out more about Carer Support Payment on the Scottish government website