Carer's Allowance is money that you can spend as you want. The weekly rate is £69.70.
Even if you don't receive a payment of Carer's Allowance due to overlapping benefit rules, entitlement to it allows you to get an extra amount, called 'Carer's Premium or Addition', as part of other benefits, so you should still make a claim. Carer's Premiums/Additions can be added to or taken into account for:
If you receive Carer's Allowance, you also qualify for a Christmas Bonus each year (unless you get one with another benefit). This is usually £10. You do not need to make a claim for the bonus. It is paid automatically. It does not affect any other benefits you might get.
Benefit Cap
If you or your partner qualify for Carer's Allowance, you are exempt from the Benefit Cap. See our Benefit Cap guide for more details.
How will I be paid Carer’s Allowance?
Carer’s Allowance will be paid directly into your bank or building society account or through the Payment Exception Service if you are unable to open or manage one of these or a similar account.
You can choose to be paid either weekly in advance or every 4 or 13 weeks in arrears.
Carer’s Allowance and other benefits
Carers are one of the groups of people who can receive Income Support but people can no longer make new claims for Income Support.
Carer’s Allowance (after tax) counts in full as income when calculating your entitlement to other means-tested benefits.
In some cases, you may meet the conditions for both Carer’s Allowance and another benefit, such as State Retirement Pension or contributory Employment and Support Allowance. As these benefits 'overlap', you may not receive a payment of Carer’s Allowance, even though you would if it weren't for the other benefit you receive.
If the other benefit you receive is worth less than Carer’s Allowance, your other benefit can be 'topped up' to the current rate of Carer’s Allowance so you don't lose out. The rules about overlapping benefits are complicated and you may need to get advice about this from an expert benefits adviser.
Carer's Allowance Supplement
People living in Scotland, who are receiving Carer's Allowance could also get an extra payment known as Carer's Allowance Supplement.
Carer's Allowance Supplement is £245.70 every six months and will be paid in two payments a year (in June and December 2022).
There is no need to apply for Carer's Allowance Supplement. You will get this automatically if you get Carer's Allowance and live in Scotland. You will get a letter if you are entitled to Carer's Allowance Supplement to tell you about the payment and when you will get it.
Carer's Allowance Supplement will not be taken into account as income when you are assessed for other benefits.
People who cannot get Carer's Allowance due to overlapping benefit rules will not qualify for Carer's Allowance Supplement. You can find out more information on the Carer's Allowance Supplement from the Scottish Government website.
Updated: April 2022