Carer’s Allowance and dementia

If you care for a person with dementia, you may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance. We explain who is eligible, how to apply, and how much you might get.

What is Carer’s Allowance?

Carer’s Allowance is a benefit for people who spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone with an illness or disability – which often includes caring for someone with dementia. It can be paid weekly or every four weeks.

‘Care’ includes helping the person with tasks such as (but not limited to):

• washing and personal care
• cooking
• attending medical appointments
• household tasks like managing finances and shopping

Carer’s Allowance eligibility

You can claim Carer’s Allowance if the person you care for receives one of the following benefits:

• Attendance Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – daily living component
• Disability Living Allowance at the middle or highest care rate
• Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement or War Pension element
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Adult Disability Payment with standard or enhanced rate living component (Scotland)

Many people with dementia will be receiving these benefits.

As a carer, you must:

• be 16 or over
• spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone
• earn £151 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses
• normally live in England, Scotland or Wales, or live abroad as a member of the armed forces
• have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least two of the last three years (this does not apply if you are a refugee or have humanitarian protection status)
• not be in full-time education, or studying for 21 hours a week or more
• not be subject to immigration control

Please note that the maximum earnings for eligibility may change – so be sure to check the latest figure.

You do not have to be related to the person you care for, nor live with them.

Carer’s Allowance can only be paid to one person at a time. This means that if you share your caring responsibilities with another person, only one of you can claim.

How much is Carer’s Allowance?

Carer’s Allowance is currently paid at £81.90 per week. This amount usually changes annually in April so it is important to check the latest rates.

Carer’s Allowance is not means-tested.

You cannot claim a full State Pension and Carer’s Allowance at the same time. If your State Pension is £81.90 per week or more, you will not qualify for Carer’s Allowance. If your State Pension is less than £81.90 per week, you will receive a smaller amount of Carer’s Allowance to make up the difference.

Applying for Carer’s Allowance

In England, Wales and most areas of Scotland, you should apply online if possible. If you cannot apply online or would like a paper form, please call the Carer’s Allowance Unit on 0800 731 0297.

In some parts of Scotland, there is an alternative to Carer’s Allowance called Carer Support Payment: please see below for more information.

In Northern Ireland, you should also apply online if possible. If you cannot apply online or would like a paper form, please call the Disability and Carers Service on 0800 587 0912 or email belfastcastlecourt.caenquiries@dcfni.gov.uk.

Carer’s Allowance can be backdated by up to three months.

Does receiving Carer’s Allowance affect other benefits?

Other benefits that you receive may be affected if you receive Carer’s Allowance, but the total you receive will usually go up or stay the same. For example:

• If you receive Universal Credit, your payment will be reduced by the amount of Carer’s Allowance you receive, meaning you will receive the same amount overall – however you may get extra Universal Credit if you care for someone who receives a disability benefit
• If you receive Pension Credit, your payments will increase if you are eligible for Carer’s Allowance

The benefits of the person you care for may also be affected if you claim Carer’s Allowance. They will usually stop getting any severe disability premium paid with their benefits, and any extra Pension Credit that they receive for having a severe disability. You should contact the benefits provider to find out if this is the case: this is usually Jobcentre Plus, their local council, the Pension Service helpline or Universal Credit.

The person with dementia may also stop getting any Council Tax reduction that they qualify for – please contact their local council to find out if they will be affected.

Changes in circumstances

Your entitlement to Carer’s Allowance may stop if your circumstances change – for example if:

• your income changes
• you stop caring for the person or reduce the care you provide to less than 35 hours per week
• the person with dementia moves into a care home
• you decide that someone else who cares for the person should receive Carer’s Allowance
• the person you care for stops receiving their disability benefit – this is unlikely in the case of dementia as it is a progressive condition that worsens over time
• you or the person you care for go into hospital for more than 12 weeks
• you go on holiday for more than four weeks in a six-month period

It is very important to report any changes that may mean your Carer’s Allowance should stop – if you do not, you may have to repay any money that you received since your circumstances changed.

Carer Support Payment (Scotland)

In Scotland, Carer’s Allowance is being phased out and replaced by an equivalent benefit called Carer Support Payment. There is little difference between the two – it simply means that going forward, the benefit will be paid by Social Security Scotland rather than the Department for Work and Pensions.

Carer Support Payment is payable at the same rate as Carer’s Allowance.

If you are NOT already claiming Carer’s Allowance and you live in the following areas, you will need to apply for Carer Support Payment instead.

• Dundee City
• Perth and Kinross
• the Western Isles
• Angus
• North Lanarkshire
• South Lanarkshire

If you live in these areas and DO currently claim Carer’s Allowance, you will be moved to the new benefit automatically.

It is planned that Carer Support Payment will replace Carer’s Allowance in more areas of Scotland from August 2024, and will be available throughout the country from November 2024. Again, if you currently claim Carer’s Allowance you will not have to make a new claim as you will be transferred automatically.

Carer’s Credit

Carer’s Credit covers any gaps in National Insurance that occur as a result of caring for someone. This means that you can take on caring responsibilities without it affecting your State Pension.

State Pension is reliant on you having worked and paid National Insurance for 10 years. If you do not meet this criterion because you have been caring for someone with dementia (for example, if you have had to leave work), Carer’s Credit fills the gap so you can still claim your State Pension.

Carer’s Credit is not a direct payment and is not means-tested.

How to apply for Carer’s Credit

In England, Scotland and Wales, download the Carer’s Credit claim form or request a copy by post by calling 0800 731 0297

In Northern Ireland, apply online. If you cannot apply online or would like a paper form, please call the Disability and Carers Service on 0800 587 0912

If you already receive Carer’s Allowance or Child Benefit for a child under 12, you do not need to make a claim as Carer’s Credits will be applied automatically.