Most people find Carer's Allowance at a difficult moment, when the caring has already grown to fill most of the week and someone finally says, is there any help with this. The short answer is that you can claim Carer's Allowance if you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone, that person already receives a qualifying disability benefit, and your own earnings and study fall within the limits.
It is worth £86.45 a week, and getting it also brings National Insurance credits that protect your own State Pension. Below is who qualifies, set out as the three tests the Department for Work and Pensions actually applies. All three have to be met, so it helps to know them before you spend time on the form.
Test one: the person you care for
This is the test families most often trip on, because it is not about how much care someone needs. It is about which benefit they already get. The person you care for must already receive one of these:
- Personal Independence Payment, the daily living component
- Disability Living Allowance, the middle or highest care rate
- Attendance Allowance, at either rate
- Pension Age Disability Payment
- Adult Disability Payment, the daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate
- Armed Forces Independence Payment, or Constant Attendance Allowance at the rates the DWP sets out
For older people in Hertfordshire, the benefit that unlocks Carer's Allowance is almost always Attendance Allowance. If the person you care for does not yet claim it, that is usually the first thing to sort out, because without it a Carer's Allowance claim cannot succeed. Our guide to Attendance Allowance explains who qualifies and how the two rates work.
Test two: the care you give
You need to spend at least 35 hours a week caring. That is a real threshold, not a rough guide, but the hours are counted broadly. They can include helping someone wash, dress and eat, taking them to appointments, and the practical work of managing bills, shopping and the running of the home. You do not have to live with the person, and you do not have to be related to them.
One rule catches families by surprise. If two of you share the care, only one can claim Carer's Allowance for that person, and you cannot claim if the other carer already gets Carer's Allowance, Carer Support Payment or the extra amount of Universal Credit for caring. It is worth a conversation between you about who claims, because the choice can affect other benefits in the household. If you cannot agree, you can still apply, and the DWP decides.
Test three: you
Alongside the hours, all of the following must apply to you:
- you are 16 or over
- you have been in England, Scotland or Wales for at least two of the last three years
- you normally live in England or Wales
- you are not in full-time education, and you are not studying for 21 hours a week or more
- you are not subject to immigration control
- your earnings are £204 or less a week, after tax, National Insurance and certain expenses
The earnings limit is the one worth reading twice, because it is a cliff edge rather than a slope. Earn a pound over £204 in a week and you get nothing that week, so it pays to understand what counts. Earnings are what is left after tax, National Insurance and allowable expenses, and the expenses can include half of your pension contributions and some care costs you pay so that you can work. A private or workplace pension you receive does not count as earnings at all, which matters for people who have retired but still care.
What claiming also brings
Carer's Allowance is modest, but it does more than its weekly figure suggests. For every week you receive it you automatically get a National Insurance credit, which fills a gap in your record and protects your own State Pension for the years you are caring rather than working. That protection is often worth more over time than the payment itself.
If you are not eligible for Carer's Allowance, for example because your earnings are just over the limit or you get a State Pension that uses it up, it is worth looking at Carer's Credit, which gives you the National Insurance protection without the payment. The full picture of the payment and how it sits with the State Pension is set out in the Carer's Allowance guide.
Where to get help with a claim in Hertfordshire
You do not have to work this out alone. Carers in Hertfordshire supports unpaid carers across the county and can help you check whether you qualify and complete the form. HertsHelp, on 0300 123 4044, is the county's general first point of contact for care and money questions and can point you to the right local adviser. Many people find that ten minutes with someone who does this every day saves a good deal of second guessing.
If you are reaching the point where the caring is more than one person can safely hold, it often helps to talk through what regular respite at home would look like alongside the benefits you are entitled to, so the two fit together rather than being sorted out separately.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Carer's Allowance worth?
It is £86.45 a week. You can be paid weekly in advance or every four weeks, into your bank account.
Can I get Carer's Allowance if I work?
Yes, provided your earnings are £204 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and allowable expenses. It is the after-expenses figure that counts, not your gross pay, so it is worth checking carefully before assuming you earn too much.
Does Carer's Allowance affect the benefits of the person I care for?
It can. If the person you care for gets a severe disability premium with their own benefits, your claiming Carer's Allowance may reduce it. It is worth checking the whole household position with an adviser before you claim.
Do I have to live with the person to claim?
No. You do not have to live with, or be related to, the person you care for. What matters is that you give at least 35 hours of care a week and meet the other conditions.
What if I care for two people?
You cannot claim Carer's Allowance twice, and you do not get paid extra for caring for more than one person. You would claim once, for the caring that best meets the 35 hour rule.
Arranging Care Is Simple
Starting care can feel like a big step. We keep it calm and straightforward, and we are here to guide you from your very first call.
1. Talk to us
Get in touch by phone or request a callback. We will listen, answer your questions and help you understand the options, so you can decide in your own time.
2. A home visit and initial consultation
We arrange a visit to understand your routines, your home and what matters most to you. Together we agree an initial consultation and shape the support that feels right.
3. Your care begins
A small, familiar team starts your care, arriving at the agreed times and staying involved as your needs change. We remain your trusted adviser throughout.
Whenever you are ready, we are here to help.