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Carer's Allowance – for you

Carer's Allowance is a taxable benefit paid to informal carers of people. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person. The person you care for could be a friend, relative or neighbour.

You may claim Carer's Allowance if you spend at least 35 hours a week giving care. The person you care for must be receiving, for example, Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance.

• Carer's Allowance (caring for someone section)

Attendance Allowance – for the person you look after

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit for people aged 65 or over who have an illness or disability and need help with personal care. Attendance Allowance is not affected by savings, and it is not usually affected by any other money you have coming in.

• Attendance Allowance (disabled people section)

Constant Attendance Allowance – for the person you look after

If the person you care for needs daily care and attention and is claiming a War Disablement Pension or an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, they can claim Constant Attendance Allowance.

• Constant Attendance Allowance (disabled people section)

Disability Living Allowance – for the person you look after

Disability Living Allowance is a tax-free benefit for people aged under 65 who need help getting around and/or to look after themselves because they are ill, terminally ill or severely disabled.

• Disability Living Allowance (disabled people section)

On a low income - for you or the person you look after

If you're on a low income, you could be eligible for financial help for yourself or for the person you are caring for.

• On a low income (money, tax and benefits section)

Crisis Loans

A Crisis Loan is an interest-free loan if you need financial help with an emergency or disaster.

• Crisis Loans (money, tax and benefits section)

Budgeting Loans

Budgeting Loans may be provided to help people on a low income to pay for things like furniture, clothes and travel.

• Budgeting Loans (money, tax and benefits section)

Community Care Grants

If the person you care for needs help to live independently in the community or to ease exceptional pressure on you, they may be able to get a Community Care Grant. You don't have to pay it back.

• Community Care Grants (money, tax and benefits section)

Find out about local carer support groups

The following link will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more about carer support groups and organisations in your area.

• Find out about local carer support groups and organisations Opens new window

More useful links

• Caring for someone section
• Caring for someone - benefits (money, tax and benefits section)
• Employing a professional carer or personal assistant (disabled people section)
• Find out about local carer support groups and organisations Opens new window