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MSA Trust

04. Carers – United Kingdom

The Information below is for people living in the UK. If you are a carer and living in the Republic of Ireland, please go to the page here where there is dedicated information for you.

Carer’s Allowance

Carer’s Allowance / Carer Support Payment (Scotland only)

If you are of working age, caring for someone at least 35 hours per week and have earnings of less than £151 per week (after deductions for income tax, national insurance and expenses), you may be entitled to claim Carer’s Allowance/ Carer Support Payment. The person you are caring for must be in receipt of one of the following disability benefits:

  • The daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) at either rate
  • The daily living component of Adult Disability Payment (ADP) at either rate
  • Attendance Allowance
  • The care component of Disability Living Allowance at either the middle or higher rate.

The current rate for Carer’s Allowance/ Carer Support Payment is £81.90 per week, paid fortnightly. Carer’s Allowance/ Carer Support Payment can be backdated for up to three months.

For more information about Carer’s Allowance/ Carer Support Payment and how to apply, please visit https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance or https://www.mygov.scot/carer-support-payment if you live in Scotland.

State Pension and Carer’s Allowance

You cannot usually claim State Pension and Carer’s Allowance/ Carer Support Payment at the same time. If your State Pension is more than £81.90 per week, you won’t be eligible for Carer’s Allowance/ Carer Support Payment. If your State Pension is less than £81.90 per week, you can receive Carer’s Allowance/ Carer Support Payment to make up the difference.

If your State Pension is over £81.90 per week, it’s still worth applying for Carer’s Allowance/ Carer Support Payment as you may qualify for ‘an underlying entitlement to Carer’s Allowance’ which can lead to other benefits and support. Independent Age has produced a helpful factsheet about this – Underlying entitlement to Carer’s Allowance | Independent Age.

Universal Credit

If you are on a low income you may be able to claim Universal Credit (if you or a partner are under state pension age). Universal Credit can include help towards rent as well as additional money if you are a carer. For more information on Universal Credit please visit Universal Credit: What Universal Credit is – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

It is possible to claim Universal Credit even if you or a partner are working. It can be difficult to work out whether you’re entitled to Universal Credit and if so, how much you might receive. Our Social Welfare Specialists can help work this out for you.

Please seek independent advice before choosing to switch from your current benefits to Universal Credit. Even an unsuccessful application for Universal Credit will result in the immediate loss of the benefits Universal Credit replaces and it will not be possible to reclaim these.

Click here to return the Financial Support and Welfare Benefits page.