Carers Allowance Rates 2024 - What you can claim?
Carer’s Allowance Rates 2024/2025
For the 2024/2025 tax year, Carer’s Allowance is £81.90 per week. You may qualify if you care for someone with a disability, illness, or medical condition for at least 35 hours a week, and they receive certain benefits.
Here’s a comparison of this year’s allowance with last year’s:
How Much Has Carer’s Allowance Increased?
As of April 2024, Carer’s Allowance increased by £5.15 per week, from £76.75 to £81.90, reflecting a 6.7% rise in line with inflation. This increase applies to all Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HMRC benefits.
In 2024/2025, you’ll receive £81.90 per week, £327.60 every four weeks, and £4,258.80 annually. In 2023/2024, these amounts were £76.75 per week, £307 every four weeks, and £3,991 annually. This is an annual increase of £267.80.
Does the Benefit Cap Affect Carer’s Allowance?
The benefit cap is a limit on the total amount of benefits you can receive. The amount varies depending on where you live (inside or outside Greater London), your relationship status, and whether you have children living with you.
For example, couples living outside Greater London have a benefit cap of £423.46 per week and £1,835 per month. However, if you or your partner claim Carer’s Allowance, the benefit cap will not apply, meaning there’s no limit on the amount of benefits you can receive. This exemption also applies to those who have reached State Pension age.
How Is Carer’s Allowance Paid?
Carer’s Allowance can be paid either weekly or every four weeks, directly into your chosen bank, building society, or Post Office account. If you are unable to open an account, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) can pay you through the Payment Exception Service.
Check Whether You Qualify for Carer’s Allowance
To qualify, you must care for someone for at least 35 hours a week. This could involve helping with household chores, taking them to medical appointments, picking up prescriptions, or assisting with tasks such as shopping or managing finances.
The person you care for must receive one of the following benefits:
- Attendance Allowance (any rate)
- Disability Living Allowance (middle or higher rate of the care component)
- Personal Independence Payment (daily living component at either rate)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance (normal maximum rate with Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit or War Pension scheme)
- Child Disability Payment (middle or highest care rate in Scotland)
- Adult Disability Payment (standard or enhanced daily living component)
You don’t need to live with the person or be related to them, but if someone else also cares for the same person, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance. You won’t get extra if you care for more than one person.
Eligibility also depends on your own circumstances. You must be at least 16 years old, not in full-time education, and earning no more than £139 per week after deductions. You must also have lived in the UK for at least two of the last three years.
What Else You Could Be Eligible For
When you receive Carer’s Allowance, you’ll also automatically receive National Insurance credits each week. In addition, you may be eligible for:
- Support from your local council
- Council Tax reduction
- Pension Credit (if you’ve reached State Pension age)
- Universal Credit (if you’re unemployed 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
Claiming Carer’s Allowance
If you’re eligible, you can apply for Carer’s Allowance online, by post, or by contacting the Carer’s Allowance Unit on 0800 731 0297. In Northern Ireland, you can apply online through NI Direct or by calling the Disability Carers Service on 0800 587 0912.
Benefits You Can Claim with Carer’s Allowance
- Attendance Allowance: You can receive both Carer’s Allowance and Attendance Allowance, which is means-tested and doesn’t affect other benefits.
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA): If the person you care for is under 16 and receives DLA, your Carer’s Allowance won’t be affected.
- Pension Credit: As this is a means-tested benefit, it may affect your eligibility for Carer’s Allowance.
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP): You can receive both Carer’s Allowance and PIP if you are a carer but also have care needs yourself.
- State Pension: If your State Pension is less than Carer’s Allowance, you can receive a top-up for the difference. If your State Pension is higher, you won’t receive Carer’s Allowance.
- Universal Credit: You can receive both Universal Credit and Carer’s Allowance at the same time.
- Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit: Carer’s Allowance is counted as income, so it may affect your eligibility for these credits.
