Carer’s allowance is a benefit in England, Northern Ireland and Wales for people who regularly spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a severely disabled person. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the disabled person. You can get carer’s allowance even if you have never worked. You are not prevented from getting carer’s allowance if you are disabled yourself and also need care. If you are entitled to carer’s allowance, a ‘carer amount’ is included in your universal credit award; a similar ‘carer premium’ is included in the award of any housing benefit (see 14 below ).

Carer’s allowance is not means tested and does not depend on national insurance (NI) contributions. It is taxable and counts as income for universal credit. Carer’s allowance gives you Class 1 NI contribution credits (see Box D.2 in Chapter 11).

Carer’s allowance is £86.45 a week. You can choose to have it paid weekly in advance or every four weeks in arrears.

In Scotland, care