Carer's Allowance is the main state benefit for carers so it's important to find out if you can receive it. Carer's Allowance is currently worth £50.55 a week.
To qualify you need to meet all the rules. Please check each of the rules carefully as they are quite complicated.
More detailed information on each of the rules is provided by clicking the link 'Rules for claiming Carer's Allowance' below.
You may also be able to get the Carer Premium - an extra amount of money (up to £27.75 a week) included in the calculation of Income Support, income-based Job Seekers' Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Rent Rebate in Northern Ireland). An amount equivalent to the Carer Premium is used to calculate Pension Credit.
If you are awarded Carer's Allowance, find out whether you qualify for the Carer Premium or its Pension Credit equivalent as you may get more money.
How to claim
If you meet the criteria, you can make a claim by filling in a claim pack DS700. Get this from:
It can take serveral weeks before you receive a decision in writing. If you are told that you don't qualify for Carer's Allowance, you have one month from the date on the letter in which to appeal. If you can't get Carer's Allowance because you already get another benefit, you could still get the Carer Premium.
Page Last Modified: 23/04/2008