Carer's Allowance and the carer element of Universal Credit

Step by step

1. Check the person you care for gets a qualifying benefit

   Carer's Allowance depends on the person you care for already getting one of certain benefits. GOV.UK lists them on its Carer's Allowance eligibility page. They include Personal Independence Payment (daily living component), Disability Living Allowance (middle or highest care rate) and Attendance Allowance. If they do not get one yet, think about helping them to claim first. For the Universal Credit carer element, GOV.UK lists these benefits: Personal Independence Payment (either rate of the daily living part), Disability Living Allowance (middle or highest care rate), Attendance Allowance, Adult Disability Payment (standard or enhanced), and Child Disability Payment (middle or highest care award), among others.

2. Check the caring, age, study and earnings rules

   To get Carer's Allowance you must spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone. You do not have to be related to them or live with them. You must also be 16 or over, not in full-time education, not studying for 21 hours a week or more, and earn £204 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses. There are residence rules too: GOV.UK lists all of them on its eligibility page. If someone else also cares for the same person, only one of you can claim Carer's Allowance. You do not get paid extra for caring for more than one person. Rates and limits change each year, so check GOV.UK.

3. Check how it affects your other benefits

   GOV.UK says that when you claim Carer's Allowance your other benefit payments may change, but your total benefit payments will usually either go up or stay the same. You will not be affected by the benefit cap. If you get Universal Credit, your payment will be reduced by an amount equal to your Carer's Allowance. The person you care for will usually stop getting a severe disability premium paid with their benefits. If you get Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit, you must tell HM Revenue and Customs. Use a benefits calculator, and get independent advice before you claim, for example from Carers UK, Carers Trust or Citizens Advice.

4. Claim Carer's Allowance

   Use the 'Make a claim' section on the GOV.UK Carer's Allowance page. If you cannot apply online, you can apply by post or call the Carer's Allowance Unit to ask for a form. You can be paid weekly in advance or every 4 weeks. For each week you get it, you automatically get National Insurance credits. You pay tax on it if your income is over the Personal Allowance. If you live in Scotland, you apply for Carer Support Payment instead. If you disagree with a decision, you can ask for mandatory reconsideration.

5. Tell DWP about the Universal Credit carer element

   If you get Universal Credit, you may get a carer element of £209.34 a month. You need to care for someone for at least 35 hours a week, and they must get one of the listed benefits. If you live with your partner and you both care for the same person, you only get one extra amount. GOV.UK says you may get this extra amount whether or not you get Carer's Allowance. It is not added automatically. You need to tell DWP that you are a carer, even if you start getting Carer's Allowance.

6. Keep DWP updated

   Tell DWP when things change, such as your hours of care, your earnings or the benefits of the person you care for. The GOV.UK Carer's Allowance page has a 'Report a change in circumstances' section. GOV.UK also says Universal Credit payments can be reduced if you have been overpaid benefits in the past.