Sometimes. Carer's Allowance pays £86.45 a week (April 2026 to April 2027) if the person cared for already gets a qualifying benefit and enough hours of care are given each week.
Carer's Allowance is a separate benefit from Attendance Allowance, paid to the carer rather than the person they care for. It has its own conditions and its own claim.
How much it pays
Carer's Allowance is £86.45 a week (April 2026 to April 2027).
Who qualifies
To get it, the carer must care for the person for at least 35 hours a week, earn no more than £204 a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses, be 16 or over, and not be in full-time education. The person cared for must get a disability benefit such as Attendance Allowance.
Someone getting State Pension may not be paid Carer's Allowance itself, but claiming can still increase other help. In Scotland it is called Carer Support Payment.
Backdating
Carer's Allowance can be backdated by up to 3 months.
Carer's Allowance can affect the other benefits that the carer and the person they care for get, so get a free benefits check first, from Citizens Advice or Age UK.
Carer's Allowance is a separate claim, made once the person cared for is already getting a qualifying benefit. Check they qualify first if that has not been claimed yet.
Sources
- Carer's Allowance (Carers UK) - checked 21 September 2026
- Carer's Allowance (GOV.UK) - checked 28 September 2026