Caring for a loved one can be deeply rewarding, but it also comes with challenges—especially financial ones. If you spend 35 hours or more per week looking after someone with a disability or long-term health condition, you might be entitled to Carer’s Allowance. This personal care allowance is a government benefit designed to offer financial support to unpaid carers, helping with extra care costs.
Many people don’t realise they can claim Carer’s Allowance, or they assume they won’t qualify. To answer personal allowance questions, this guide breaks down everything you need to know, including who is eligible, how much you can receive, and how to apply. Whether you’re supporting an older person or a family member, this post will help you navigate the process and check if you can access this vital financial support.
Personal care allowance is a term sometimes used to describe the financial support you receive when you care for someone else on an unpaid basis. In the UK, the main form of this support is called Carer’s Allowance. It’s aimed at people who dedicate at least 35 hours a week to looking after someone with a health condition or disability.
Despite the name, this allowance isn’t just about personal care (such as helping with bathing or dressing). Instead, it covers the broader time you spend ensuring a loved one’s comfort and safety. That can include cooking, tidying, and assisting with medication routines—anything that helps them cope more easily at home. Keep in mind that Carer’s Allowance doesn’t match professional wages. Instead, it’s seen as a form of recognition from the government for the time you spend as a carer.
Currently, Carer’s Allowance is £81.90 per week. This figure is reviewed yearly, normally in April, so always check the latest guidance before making an allowance claim. Even though this is a disability benefit for carers, it’s not always straightforward to claim. You must prove you’re meeting the substantial caring needs of the person you support.
Some carers worry about care costs or losing other payments. In fact, Carer’s Allowance isn’t means-tested, which means your own savings or capital usually won’t affect it. However, if you earn above £151 a week (after certain national insurance contributions and other deductions), you might not qualify.
Other benefits—like certain pensions—can also overlap. For instance, if you already receive more than £81.90 a week from your State Pension, you normally can’t be paid Carer’s Allowance on top. You could still get what’s called an “underlying entitlement,” which can boost other benefits such as Pension Credit or Council Tax Reduction.
Carer’s Allowance is a taxable benefit, but you’ll only pay tax if you exceed the normal personal allowance level when combined with other taxable income. It’s a free benefit because you don’t contribute directly toward it, but be aware of how your other earnings might be affected.
Carer’s allowance is not available to every carer. To be eligible, you must meet the following conditions:
The person you care for must receive one of the following benefits for people with a health condition or disability.
If your loved one does not currently receive one of these benefits, they may need to apply for one before you can claim Carer’s Allowance.
To qualify, you must provide 35 hours of care or more every week. This can include:
These hours must be met every week that you claim Carer’s Allowance. You cannot average them out over multiple weeks.
A Carer’s Allowance week runs from Sunday to Saturday. If you stop providing 35 hours of care in a particular week, you won’t receive payment for that period.
You can apply for Carer’s Allowance up to three months before turning 16, but payments will only begin from your 16th birthday.
If you are in full-time education, you cannot claim Carer’s Allowance. A course is generally considered full-time if:
Even if your course is described as full-time, you might still be eligible if your actual supervised study hours are below 21 hours per week.
If you are unsure about your status, seeking guidance from an adviser before applying is best.
If you have a job or are self-employed, you cannot receive Carer’s Allowance if your weekly earnings exceed £151 after deductions.
Certain costs can be deducted before assessing your earnings:
Additionally, if you pay someone else to care for your loved one or a child under 16 while you work, you can deduct up to 50% of your earnings—but only if the person you pay is not a close relative.
To qualify for Carer’s Allowance, you must:
Some people, such as members of the armed forces, may be treated as present in Great Britain even while abroad.
If your visa conditions state that you have no recourse to public funds, you cannot claim Carer’s Allowance. This could also affect your right to remain in the UK. If you are in this situation, seek specialist advice before applying.
Before submitting your claim for a carer’s allowance, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria. It’s also a good idea to let the person you care for (or their authorised representative) know you’re planning to apply.
Make sure you have all the necessary details on hand—such as your National Insurance number and the bank account where you’d like to receive payments—before starting your application. If anything is unclear, it’s best to contact the relevant department directly for guidance.
Caring for a loved one often involves juggling several roles at once, and an organised care plan can really help. You might help with personal care, laundry, cooking, medication reminders, or just keeping them safe. While a Carer’s Allowance or personal care allowance offers financial relief, you could still need extra support to maximise your family member’s quality of life at home.
That’s where Tiggo Care care can step in. By organising home care services through Tiggo Care, you can free up time for yourself without worrying that your loved one is alone. We offer help with daily tasks, domestic chores, meal preparation, nursing care coordination with other professionals, and more. Our person-centred care approach fits your family’s specific situation, so you can focus on what matters most—your relationship with the person you love. If you want to find out more about how Tiggo Care can lighten the load, contact us now.
It’s currently £81.90 each week. The allowance rate is reviewed every April, so check for updates. You’ll only receive payment if you meet the 35-hour care requirement and earn below the weekly threshold.
You must be at least 16, spend 35 hours or more each week caring, and meet residence conditions in Great Britain. The person you care for has to receive a qualifying disability benefit like the care component of Disability Living Allowance or the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment. You can’t be in full-time time education or earn above £151 weekly after allowable deductions.
Carer’s Allowance is taxable, but you only pay tax if your total income (including part-time work or pensions) exceeds your personal tax threshold. On its own, it usually won’t push you over that limit. It’s still considered a free benefit in the sense that you don’t directly pay for it, but it may reduce other benefits for you or your loved one.
You normally can’t claim if you already get certain benefits higher than £81.90 a week, such as a full State Pension or Maternity Allowance. You also can’t claim if you receive an Incapacity Benefit, Contributory Employment and Support Allowance, Bereavement benefits, or a Contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance that exceeds the allowance rate. If those benefits pay more, you can still get an “underlying entitlement” to Carer’s Allowance, which might raise other means-tested benefits.
Get in touch with Tiggo Care today to see how we can help you or your loved one.
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