Benefits for carers

Help for carers

There may be additional social security help available if you have caring responsibilities for a family member or friend.

Carer's Allowance

If you are caring you may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance. 

Carer's Allowance is treated as income for means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit.

To claim Carer’s Allowance, you must meet all the following criteria: 

• you’re 16 or over 
• you are caring for someone that is receiving a disability benefit such as Attendance Allowance, DLA, or PIP
• you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone
• you’ve been in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years (this does not apply if you’re a refugee or have humanitarian protection status) 
• you normally live in England, Scotland or Wales, or you live abroad as a member of the armed forces (you might still be eligible if you’re moving to or already living in an EEA country or Switzerland) 
• you’re not in full-time education
• you’re not studying for 21 hours a week or more

• you’re not subject to immigration control 
• your earnings from gainful employment or self-employment are £139 or less a week after tax (2023/2024), National Insurance and certain expenses. Check what the most recent earnings level is.

Carer's Allowance is a weekly payment which is not means-tested, but it is taken into account for other means-tested benefits. However, often a claim for Carer’s Allowance can increase the total combined amount of means-tested benefits you receive.  

If you are over pension age it can overlap with any State Retirement Pension you get and you may not receive all or any of the actual payment. However, a claim can be submitted as having an underlying entitlement to Carer’s Allowance can increase means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support.

For each week you are entitled to Carer's Allowance you also get a Class 1 National Contribution credit (as long as you have not lost, given up, or never had the right to pay reduced contributions).

Carer Element in Universal Credit

A carer element is included in your Universal Credit payment if you meet the eligibility conditions for Carer’s Allowance. It is not a benefit in its own right, but it can increase your monthly Universal Credit.  You do not need to claim Carer’s Allowance but you do need to meet the criteria for Carer’s Allowance and inform Universal Credit that you are a carer.

Even if your earnings are too high to receive Carer’s Allowance you can still receive the carer’s element as part of your Universal Credit payments. 

Carer Premium/Addition If you are getting Carer’s Allowance, or have an underlying entitlement to Carer’s Allowance an additional amount can be paid within any legacy benefits you currently receive, such as;

• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• income-related Employment & Support Allowance

The Carer Premium/Addition can also mean an increase in any Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support you may get even if you do not get any of the legacy benefits above.

It may even mean you become entitled to some Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support for the first time.

Carer’s Credit

Carer’s Credit is not a benefit payment but it can help to protect your State Pension.  You can get Carer’s National Insurance Class 3 Credit if you’re caring for someone for at least 20 hours a week.

It is a National Insurance credit that helps with gaps in your National Insurance record.

Council Tax Discounts

In some instances carers can apply for a Council Tax discount directly from Camden Council. Find out more information about Council Tax discounts and exemptions.