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  • Help and advice for unpaid carers We can help you if you are looking after a family member or friend.

     

    As well as the online help and advice we have available for unpaid carers you can speak to us on 0345 241 0954 or email [email protected]

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    To find our more about how our homecare can help you, call 0345 241 0954 or email [email protected]

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  • Home » Carer’s Allowance

    Carer’s allowance is paid to help you look after someone with substantial care needs.

    We are here to answer any questions you might have around Carer’s Allowance, but have a read of our helpful guide below for information on everything from eligibility to amount, which may tell you what you need to know.

    Carer’s allowance is paid to help you look after someone with substantial care needs.
    Carer’s allowance is paid to help you look after someone with substantial care needs.

    Who is eligible for a carer’s allowance?

    You don’t have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.

    You must be:

    • 16 or over and spend at least 35 hours a week caring for them
    • Not be in full time education or studying for 21 hours a week or more
    • Earn no more than a specified amount a week (after taxes, care costs while you’re at work and 50% of what you pay into your pension).
    Carer's Card
    The Caring Together carer’s card is a good way for you to be identified a carer, whether this is when you are at the shops, GP surgery, pharmacist or other places.
    Register for your carer's card

    How much is carer’s allowance?

    The current amount is £69.70. Carer’s allowance is taxable. It can also affect your other benefits and/or you may also be able to claim other benefits. You cannot normally get two income-replacement benefits (e.g. carer’s allowance and the state pension) paid together.

    Usually, for each week you get a carer’s allowance or the underlying entitlement you also get national insurance credits and contributions to your additional state pension. You should still apply for a carer’s allowance even if you get these as your benefits might be increased.

    At this time we are receiving a high number of queries about contact details for both Carers Allowance and Attendance Allowance. Below are where you can go to get direct information about either of these. And remember we are here to help with specialist advice for carers.

    Call 345 241 0954 during office hours Monday to Friday or email [email protected]

    Carer’s Allowance
    Helpline: 0800 731 0297
    Textphone: 0800 731 0317
    Relay UK – If you can not hear or speak on the telephone: 18001 then 0800 731 0297

    Newsletter signup

    Newsletter signup

    Inside news is for carers, those who support carers, and everyone who has an interest in ensuring carers of all ages are properly recognised and supported.

    What else can be done?

    Research by Carers UK showed well over a third (36%) of carers receiving Carer’s Allowance – just £67.25 a week for 35 hours or more of care – were struggling to make ends meet, with 15% having been in debt because of caring.

    Earlier research with the Universities of Sheffield and Birmingham found more than 100,000 unpaid carers in the UK had to rely on food banks during the pandemic.

    81% of carers were spending more money during the coronavirus outbreak – as they faced rising costs including higher domestic bills, paying for additional care and support services, buying equipment to adapt homes, and purchasing technology to help with caring.

    It was announced by the government in November 2022 that carer’s allowance will increase by 10.1 percent from April 2023, with weekly payments to increase to £76.74, which is just over £300 a month.

    • Be recognised as a carer with your Caring Together carer's card
    • Carers are now facing unprecedented financial pressure
    • Caring for someone during the Christmas season
    Caring Together

    © Caring Together Charity 2023
    Photos © Caring Together and Carers Trust
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    Registered in England and Wales Number 4379948

    • Get support
      • Refer a carer
      • Who is a carer?
      • Advice for carers
        • Financial support
        • Carers’ rights
        • Carer’s assessment
        • Carer’s Allowance
        • Money and benefits
        • Hospital admission and discharge planning
      • Hubs, groups and events
      • Adult carers
        • Carers hubs
        • Emergency planning
        • What If? Plan
        • Someone to talk to
        • Carer’s card
        • Support at the end of your caring role
      • Parent carers
      • Young carers
        • Young Carers Action Day
        • Norfolk Young Carers Forum
        • App for young carers
      • Family Carers’ Prescription
      • Carers directory
      • Inside news – newsletter
      • Caring magazine
    • Homecare
      • Homecare for adults
      • Homecare for children
      • Day clubs
      • Homecare – the people we help
      • Your questions about homecare answered
      • Purchasing care
    • Get involved
      • Have your say
        • Supporting the Carer’s Leave Bill
        • Carers speak out
        • Carer council
        • Carer voice and involvement
          • Design, delivery and evaluation of services
          • Carer awareness (raise awareness of carers and their needs)
          • Organisational governance
          • Help recruit and train staff
          • Be part of our carer voice and involvement opportunities
          • How we have listened and acted
      • Volunteering
      • Media, research and policy
        • Young Carers Alliance
    • Support our work
      • Support young carers
      • Time for Tea in ’23
      • Christmas cards
      • Donations
      • Fundraise for carers
      • Become a Carer Friend
      • Gifts of Kindness
      • Leave a gift in your Will
      • Remember a loved one
      • Complete a Gift Aid form
    • Companies and organisations
      • Support for companies
      • Support for organisations
        • Health
        • Education
          • Young carers’ transition to secondary school
          • Infant carers – resource pack and animation for schools
          • School census
          • Young carers challenge for schools
            • Young Carers Challenge Cambridgeshire
            • Young Carers Challenge Norfolk
      • Request free resources
      • Carer Friendly Tick Award
      • Carer Friendly Tick Award hall of fame
    • News and events
      • News
      • Current consultations
      • Events
      • Carers’ stories
      • Inside news
      • Staff stories
    • Contact us
    • About us
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      • Our team
        • Senior leadership team
        • Trustees
          • Join our board
        • Carer council
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      • Safeguarding
      • Your feedback
        • What you said
      • Thank you to our supporters
    • Join our team
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      • Staff training
    • Donate

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