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> **Canonical Source:** [https://crisiscompass.co.uk/carers-allowance-guide](https://crisiscompass.co.uk/carers-allowance-guide)
>
> *Do you care for someone 35+ hours a week? You may qualify for Carer's Allowance (£81.90/week). Eligibility, how to claim, and impact on other benefits.*



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### Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

**Q: Can I work and claim Carer's Allowance?**

> A: Yes, as long as you earn £151 or less per week after tax, NI, and pension contributions. Care expenses (like paying someone to look after the person while you work) can also be deducted.

**Q: Can two people share caring responsibilities?**

> A: Only one person can claim Carer's Allowance for the same person. However, the other carer may be able to claim Carer's Credit.





# Carer's Allowance — Full Guide

If you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone with a disability, you may qualify for Carer's Allowance — currently £81.90 per week. Many eligible carers don't claim because they don't know it exists.

2 min readLast reviewed: March 2026

[Find All Benefits →](/benefits)[Calculate Your Budget →](/tools/budget)

## Eligibility

You can claim Carer's Allowance if:

-   You care for someone **35+ hours per week**
-   The person you care for receives **PIP daily living**, **DLA middle/high care**, or **Attendance Allowance**
-   You earn **£151 or less per week** after deductions
-   You're **16 or over**
-   You're not in full-time education (21+ hours)

## How to Apply

1.  1Apply online at gov.uk/carers-allowance
2.  2You'll need: your details, the cared-for person's details, and their benefit reference
3.  3Claims can be backdated up to **3 months**

## Impact on Other Benefits

-   Claiming CA adds a **Carer Element** (£198.31/month) to your Universal Credit
-   If you receive State Pension, you may get an **underlying entitlement** (no cash but triggers other benefits)
-   The person you care for may lose their **Severe Disability Premium** — check before claiming

## Carer's Credit

If you don't qualify for Carer's Allowance (because you earn too much), you can still get **Carer's Credit** which protects your State Pension record. This is free and has no earnings limit.

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## Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work and claim Carer's Allowance?

Yes, as long as you earn £151 or less per week after tax, NI, and pension contributions. Care expenses (like paying someone to look after the person while you work) can also be deducted.

Can two people share caring responsibilities?

Only one person can claim Carer's Allowance for the same person. However, the other carer may be able to claim Carer's Credit.

## Related Guides

- **[Personal Independence Payment (PIP) — Full Guide](/pip-personal-independence-payment)** — Complete guide to PIP. Eligibility, how to apply, assessment process, and how to challenge a decision. Clear, practical advice.
- **[Universal Credit — How to Claim and What to Expect](/universal-credit-guide)** — Everything you need to know about Universal Credit. How to apply, how much you'll get, sanctions, advance payments, and your rights.

## Sources & Further Reading

[GOV.UK — Benefits](https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits)[Entitledto](https://www.entitledto.co.uk/)

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This page provides general information only and is not financial or legal advice. For personalised guidance, consider contacting [StepChange](https://www.stepchange.org/) (0800 138 1111) or [Citizens Advice](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/) (0800 144 8848).

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