Glossary · UK
What is Carer's Allowance?
A UK benefit for people who regularly spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who receives a qualifying disability benefit.
Full Definition
Carer's Allowance is a taxable state benefit paid to people who provide at least 35 hours of care each week to someone receiving a qualifying disability benefit, such as the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, or the middle/higher care rate of Disability Living Allowance. To qualify you must be aged 16 or over, not in full-time education (21+ hours a week of study), and your net earnings after allowable deductions must not exceed the weekly earnings limit. If you earn over that limit you lose the whole payment, not just the excess. You cannot usually receive the full amount on top of the State Pension because of the overlapping benefits rule, though an underlying entitlement may still increase other means-tested benefits. Carer's Allowance counts as taxable income and can reduce certain means-tested benefits received by the person you care for. In Scotland the benefit has been replaced by Carer Support Payment, administered by Social Security Scotland, and carers there also receive the separate Carer's Allowance Supplement paid twice yearly. England, Wales and Northern Ireland continue to use Carer's Allowance, with claims made through the DWP.