Health and Wellbeing

How to apply for Carer’s Allowance for elderly parents

Ashleigh Gibson

30th April, 2026

Focus on older mans shoulder where his hand is placed over the comforting hand of the person behind him

Caring for elderly parents is a reality for millions of people across the UK, often alongside holding down a job, looking after children and other daily tasks. Yet many are unaware of the Carer’s Allowance for elderly parents they may be entitled to - or the wider financial help available through the UK benefits system.

Carer’s Allowance is the main government benefit designed to support unpaid carers. If you spend a lot of time caring for a parent or loved one, this guide will walk you through exactly what you can claim, who is eligible for Carer’s Allowance and how to apply - step by step.

Key takeaways:

Carer’s Allowance is a weekly benefit for people providing at least 35 hours of unpaid care
As of 2026, it pays £81.90 per week
You can claim the benefit even if you work, as long as your net earnings are under £151 per week
Other financial support is available in the UK as well, including Carer’s Credit and the Carer’s Element of Universal Credit. We’ll explain these, too
Applications for benefits can be made online via gov.uk and usually take just 20–30 minutes

Laughing older woman and younger relative washing the dishes in the kitchen

What is Carer’s Allowance?

Carer’s Allowance is a UK government benefit for people who provide regular, substantial unpaid care to someone who is disabled or has a serious health condition. It aims to recognise the time and effort you spend caring for a loved one.

While it isn’t means-tested, it does have an earnings limit (your net earnings need to be under £151 per week). But your savings and household income are not taken into account. And, importantly, ‘net’ means your earnings after deducting things like Income Tax, National Insurance and some pension contributions.

Carer’s Allowance is paid to the carer - not the person being cared for - and it isn’t tied to the benefits that your parent or loved one receives. However, to qualify, the person you care for must already be receiving a qualifying disability benefit (such as Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance).

How much is Carer’s Allowance a week?

As of 2026, Carer’s Allowance is paid at £81.90 per week. It’s usually paid every four weeks (at around £327.60 per month), although some people may be sent weekly payments.

Keep in mind: Carer’s Allowance is classed as taxable income, and it could affect whether you’re eligible for other benefits. So, factor this into your overall financials.

The rate is reviewed annually and typically increases each April in line with inflation. It can also be backdated for up to three months if you were eligible but didn’t claim it sooner.

Correct as of April 2026

Who can claim Carer’s Allowance?

In short, you can claim Carer’s Allowance if you give regular unpaid care for someone and you meet the criteria:

Age 16 or over
Spend at least 35 hours per week caring for someone
Care for someone who receives a qualifying disability benefit
Live in England, Scotland or Wales (UK)
Have net earnings of £151 per week or less

You can’t receive Carer’s Allowance if you…

Are in full-time education (21+ hours per week)
Earn more than £151 per week (net)
Already receive certain overlapping benefits (such as a full State Pension)
Are subject to immigration control that prevents claims

What counts as a ‘qualifying disability benefit’?

To claim Carer’s Allowance, the person you care for must get at least one of these benefits already:

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - daily living component (any rate)
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - middle or highest care rate
Attendance Allowance
Constant Attendance Allowance (at or above the normal maximum rate)
Armed Forces Independence Payment

Why does the person you care for need to receive a qualifying benefit?

Carer’s Allowance is only granted when the person you’re caring for needs a high level of care. Aka they have a recognised disability, illness or age-related condition - and, as a result, they need lots of help with daily living tasks (not just occasional support).

Younger woman holding older womans shoulders from beind, focus on walking stick

What if I don’t qualify for Carer’s Allowance?

Even if you don’t qualify for Carer's Allowance, you may still be entitled to other forms of support. In many cases, simply establishing what’s known as an ‘underlying entitlement’ can unlock additional benefits.

Support type	What it is	Who it’s for
Carer’s Allowance	A weekly payment for people who provide at least 35 hours of unpaid care each week	Carers who earn £151 per week or less (net) and care for someone receiving a qualifying disability benefit
Carer’s Credit	A National Insurance credit that protects your future State Pension. It fills gaps in your National Insurance record if you reduce or stop working due to caring responsibilities, helping you still build ‘qualifying years’ even without earnings	Carers who don’t qualify for Carer’s Allowance but provide regular care and want to protect their State Pension
Carer Premium	An extra amount added to certain means-tested benefits, such as Housing Benefit or Pension Credit. It’s not paid separately. Instead, it increases the total amount of benefit you receive if you are recognised as a carer	Carers who receive means-tested benefits and have entitlement to Carer’s Allowance (or underlying entitlement)
Carer’s Element (Universal Credit)	An additional payment included in Universal Credit for people who have caring responsibilities. It’s added on top of your standard Universal Credit allowance if you meet the caring criteria	Carers who are claiming Universal Credit and provide at least 35 hours of care per week
Local authority support	Support provided by your local council after a Carer’s Assessment. This can include respite care, practical help, equipment or small grants depending on need and location	Any unpaid carer in England (and similar support in Scotland/Wales via local systems)
Charity support	Organisations such as Carers UK, Age UK and Turn2Us provide free advice, benefits guidance and (in some cases) emergency financial grants for carers and people in financial hardship	Carers or individuals needing advice, financial guidance or emergency support
Council Tax discounts	Some households may qualify for reduced Council Tax if someone in the home is disabled or severely mentally impaired, or if a carer meets certain exemption rules. Eligibility is assessed by the local council	Households where a disabled person lives, or where a carer meets specific exemption criteria
Blue Badge scheme	A parking permit for people with significant mobility or cognitive difficulties that allows access to disabled parking bays and closer parking spaces. It’s issued to the disabled person, but carers often use it/benefit from it when travelling with them	People with long-term mobility or cognitive impairments, assessed by the local council

Don’t miss out.

Carer’s Credit protects your future State Pension, if you aren't getting Carer’s Allowance.

Carer Premiums and Universal Credit elements can increase eligible carers’ overall household income.

Local councils can also provide respite care and practical support through a Carer’s Assessment, which is a legal right in England.

Learn more: Who can acquire ‘free’ mobility equipment on the NHS - and how does it work?

Piggy bank and coins on well lit table doused with natural light

How to apply for Carer’s Allowance

Applying for Carer’s Allowance is more straightforward than many people expect. The process can be completed online in under an hour.

What you’ll need before you apply:

Your National Insurance number
Bank or building society details
Employment details and recent payslips (if working)
Details of the person you care for, including their disability benefit reference number
Information about any other benefits you receive

How to apply - step by step:

Check your eligibility using the gov.uk Carer’s Allowance eligibility checker
Apply online at: gov.uk/carers-allowance/how-to-claim (takes around 20–30 minutes)
Alternatively, request a paper DS700 form or call the Carer’s Allowance Unit on 0800 731 0297
Wait for a decision letter - usually within a few weeks
If refused, you can request a mandatory reconsideration (Citizens Advice can support you)

While you focus on the application, Oak Tree Mobility can help ensure your parent’s home is set up for their comfort and safety - from rise and recliner chairs to adjustable beds.

For wider wellbeing support, see What is the ‘sandwich generation’ and why are they so burnt out.

Practical support at home - making caregiving easier

Financial support is only one part of the picture. For many families, practical support at home can make caregiving simpler.

Mobility equipment such as rise and recliner chairs can help elderly parents sit, stand and rest easier, reducing their reliance on carers.

Adjustable beds can also make a huge difference, especially when it comes to nighttime care, repositioning and general comfort.

Oak Tree Mobility offers a free home consultation service, where a specialist visits your parent’s home to recommend suitable equipment - with no obligation or pressure. You’re encouraged to attend the visit, to help the person you care for make the best possible decision.

FAQs: Financial help for carers in the UK

What is ‘Carer’s Credit’?

A National Insurance credit that helps protect your future State Pension if you take time out of work or earn too little while caring for someone. It’s mainly for people who provide regular care but don’t qualify for Carer’s Allowance or aren’t receiving it. You cannot usually receive both a Carer's Credit and a Carer’s Allowance in full, but you may still have an ‘underlying entitlement’, which can increase other benefits such as the Carer Premium (see below).

Understand it further: Normally, you build up State Pension entitlement by working and paying National Insurance contributions. If you cut down your working hours or stop working to provide care, you might miss out on those contributions - and that can reduce your pension in the future.

Carer’s Credit fills those gaps by adding ‘qualifying years’ to your National Insurance record, even if you are not earning enough to pay contributions. This helps ensure your caring responsibilities don’t negatively affect your retirement income in time.

What is ‘Carer Premium’?

It’s an extra amount of money added to certain means-tested benefits if you’re recognised as a carer. Means-tested benefits are benefits like Income Support, Housing Benefit, or Pension Credit, where the amount you get depends on your income and circumstances.

The Carer Premium is not a separate payment on its own. Instead, it increases the total amount of benefit you receive each week or month. It’s awarded if you’re entitled to Carer’s Allowance (or have an underlying entitlement to it), even if you are not actually being paid Carer’s Allowance because of overlapping benefits like State Pension.

What is the earnings limit for Carer’s Allowance?

You can still claim Carer’s Allowance if you work, as long as your net earnings are £151 per week or less.

Net earnings are calculated after deductions such as:

Income tax and National Insurance

Half of your pension contributions

Certain allowable work expenses

This is an important distinction, as many part-time carers assume they earn too much when, in fact, their net income may fall within the limit.

How long does it take to get Carer’s Allowance?

Most claims are processed within a few weeks. Payments can be backdated up to three months if you were eligible earlier.

Does Carer’s Allowance affect the person I care for?

No. It’s paid to you as the carer and does not reduce or affect the benefits of the person receiving care.

Sources and references

Care for someone who receives a qualifying disability benefit