Carer’s Allowance Rates 2024 | What Carers Could Now Receive

The amount of Carer’s Allowance you’re able to receive increased by 6.7% in April 2024. Here are the new Carer’s Allowance rates for 2024/2025, along with how much they’ve increased, whether you’re eligible and how to claim if so.

Carer’s Allowance is a benefit for people on a low income who spend at least 35 hours a week looking after somebody else who has a disability, illness or other medical condition. This is paid at £81.90 a week for 2024/2025.

Many people who claim this benefit act as a carer for a family member or parent - and often do so without realising they’ve taken on a caregiving role.

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In this article:

1. Carer’s Allowance rates 2024/2025
2. How much have Carer’s Allowance rates increased from 2023 to 2024?
3. Does the benefit cap apply to Carer’s Allowance?
4. How is Carer’s Allowance paid?
5. Check whether you qualify for Carer's Allowance
6. How to claim Carer’s Allowance
7. Benefits you can claim with Carer's Allowance

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Carer’s Allowance Rates 2024/2025

Carer’s Allowance for 2024/2025 is £81.90 per week.

You could be eligible for Carer’s Allowance if you spend at least 35 hours a week looking after somebody with a disability, illness or other medical condition who also receives certain benefits.

We’ve outlined what you’ll get on a weekly, four-weekly and yearly basis in the table below.

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How Much Have Carer’s Allowance Rates Increased From 2023 to 2024?

Carer’s Allowance increased by £5.15 weekly in April 2024, from £76.75 to £81.90. This was an increase of 6.7% in line with inflation. This 6.7% increase was applied across all DWP and HMRC benefits.

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Does the Benefit Cap Apply To Carer’s Allowance?

The benefit cap is a limit on the maximum amount of benefits you can receive per year. Your benefit cap will be determined by whether you live inside or outside of Greater London, whether you’re single or in a couple and if any children live with you.

For example, the benefit cap for people in a couple who live outside of Greater London is £423.46 per week and £1,835 per month.

However, if you or your partner receive Carer’s Allowance, you won’t be affected by the benefit cap, meaning there’s no limit to the amount of benefits you can get.

People who have reached the State Pension age are also exempt.

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How Is Carer’s Allowance Paid?

Carer’s Allowance can either be paid every week or every four weeks.

It’ll go straight into a bank, building society or Post Office card account of your choice.

If you’re unable to open an account, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will instead pay you through the Payment Exception Service.

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Check Whether You Qualify For Carer’s Allowance

To be eligible for Carer’s Allowance, you’ll need to spend at least 35 hours a week caring for one person. The care you provide could include things like assistance with household chores, providing transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, collecting medication or any other tasks such as shopping and managing finances.

The person you care for needs to claim one of the following qualifying disability benefits:

• Attendance Allowance at either rate
• Disability Living Allowance at the middle or higher rate of the care component
• Personal Independence Payment at either rate of the daily living component
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Constant Attendance Allowance at the normal maximum rate paid with the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit or War Pension scheme
• Child Disability Payment at the middle or highest care rate (in Scotland)
• Adult Disability Payment at the standard or enhanced rate of the daily living component

You don’t need to live with or be related to the person you care for. If you and somebody else care for the same person, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance. You won’t be paid extra if you care for multiple people.

Eligibility will also depend on your personal circumstances. You must be aged 16 or over and you can’t be in full-time education or earning more than £139 a week after deductions. You also need to have lived in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland for at least two of the last three years.

What else you could be eligible for

For every week you receive Carer’s Allowance, you’ll also automatically get National Insurance Credits.

You might also be eligible for:

• Support from your local council
• A Council Tax reduction
• Pension Credit (if you’ve reached State Pension age)
• Universal Credit (if you’re out of work or on a low income)
• Income Support
• Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance Supplement (if you live in Scotland)
• Various grants and bursaries to help pay for training and courses

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Claiming Carer’s Allowance

If eligible, you can apply for Carer’s Allowance through GOV.UK.

You can also apply by post, or by calling the Carer’s Allowance Unit to request a form on 0800 731 0297.

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Benefits You Can Claim With Carer’s Allowance

• Attendance Allowance - You can get both of these at the same time. Attendance Allowance is means-tested, so doesn’t affect eligibility for other benefits

• Disability Living Allowance - If the person you care for is aged under and receives Disability Living Allowance (DLA), your Carer’s Allowance won’t be affected. DLA is means-tested, so doesn’t affect eligibility for other benefits

• Pension Credit - This is a means-tested benefit for people above the State Pension age, so it might prevent you from being eligible for Carer’s Allowance, due to the extra income received

• Personal Independence Payment - You can claim both of these if you’re a carer but also have your own care needs

• State Pension - If your State Pension is less than Carer’s Allowance, you can get the difference paid as a top-up. If your State Pension is more, you won’t receive Carer’s Allowance

• Universal Credit - You can receive Carer’s Allowance and Universal Credit at the same time

• Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit - Your eligibility for either of these may be affected if you also receive Carer’s Allowance, as this is counted as income (so your total income may pass the threshold)

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