You don’t have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for to claim. You won’t get extra if you care for more than one person. A carer can claim carer’s allowance if they:
The person cared for must receive one of the following benefits:
If a carer is getting state retirement pension, incapacity benefit, bereavement benefit or any other type of earnings replacement of more than the rate of carer’s allowance, the carer cannot be paid carer’s allowance as well. That carer could, however, have an underlying entitlement to carer’s allowance, which can help them get more money from other benefits, such as an extra amount of income support or pension credit.
A carer may be able to get an additional amount for a spouse, or civil partner or someone living with them who looks after their dependent children.
When you claim carer’s allowance the person you care for will stop getting:
For each week you get carer’s allowance you will automatically get carer’s credit to help fill gaps in your national insurance record, to make sure you qualify for certain benefits including the state pension.
More information on insurance credits.
If you and your partner are of working age and on a low income you may be eligible for Universal Credit. For more details and to make a claim please see Universal Credit.
You can get help to claim for Universal Credit from Citizens Advice – phone 0800 1448 444 and visit Citizens Advice.