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Carers Allowance 2024: Eligibility, Rates, and How to Claim

If you’re wondering what Carer’s Allowance is in 2024, the key is simple: it’s a weekly payment for people spending at least 35 hours a week caring for someone with a disability. In 2024–25, the rate was £81.90 per week, increasing to £83.30 from April 2025. From April 2025, carers can earn up to £196 per week (after deductions) and still receive the allowance . Those are the headlines. Now let’s dig deeper—give you the full picture, with what’s changed, what matters, and what you need to know if you’re a carer.

What Is Carer’s Allowance?

Carer’s Allowance helps people looking after someone for at least 35 hours a week who receives certain disability benefits . You must be aged 16 or over, not in full-time education, and meet UK residence conditions .

It’s intended to offer modest financial support, but more importantly, it provides Class 1 National Insurance credits that count towards your state pension and other benefits .

Eligibility Basics

Who Can Claim?

Aged 16 or over, not in full-time education.
Provide at least 35 hours of care per week for someone getting a disability benefit.
You must meet UK residence and immigration rules .
Your earnings must stay below the weekly threshold after allowed deductions.

Earnings Limit

As of April 7, 2025, the weekly earnings limit rose from £151 to £196, allowing carers to work more without losing eligibility .

Caution: “Cliff Edge” Penalty

If you go just £1 over that £196 limit, you lose the entire allowance. Carers have found themselves in debt for tiny breaches and facing penalties, even legal ones .

Carer’s Allowance Rates & Changes

2024–25 Rate

Weekly allowance: £81.90. Uprated annually in line with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) .

April 2025 Update

Weekly amount increased to £83.30 (about a 1.7% rise) .

April 2026 Forecast

Projected increase to £86.45 per week, accompanied by earnings threshold raising to £204 .

Real-World Impact & Context

Bigger Earnings Band

The increase to £196 a week means carers can now work around 16 hours at the National Living Wage and still claim the allowance . It is the largest earnings limit increase since 1976, projected to help 60,000 more carers by 2029 .

Financial Strain Still High

Despite improvements, Carer’s Allowance remains the lowest benefit of its kind. Carers UK findings show 42% struggle to make ends meet on it, and 90% believe it’s insufficient .

Overpayment Crisis

About 144,000 carers are currently repaying more than £251 million due to unintentional breaches. The system’s failure to process income alerts left claimants unaware of their overpayments .

Longer-Term Reform Calls

Campaigners are urging a full review—addressing eligibility criteria, benefit adequacy, and the damaging “cliff edge” penalty that punishes oversights severely .

How to Claim Carer’s Allowance

What You Need Before You Apply

Your National Insurance number (and your partner’s if applicable).
Bank or building society details (unless you receive State Pension).
Employment details (latest payslip or P45).
Course details if you’re studying.
Information on expenses (e.g., childcare while caring).
Details of the person you care for: name, date of birth, address, and disability benefit reference if under 16 .

You can backdate a claim by up to 3 months .

How to Submit the Claim

Apply online via GOV.UK or get form DS700 (or DS700(SP) if on State Pension) .
If needed, you can apply by post or request a form via phone: 0800 731 0297 (textphone: 0800 731 0317) .

After You Apply

Report any changes in:
– Earnings or employment
– Caring hours or breaks
– Hospital stays or residential care placements
– The cared-for person’s status (e.g., death)
Even small changes must be reported—ignoring them could mean overpayment notices .

Expert Voice

“This increase in the earnings threshold is a lifeline for carers juggling work and care. But without broader reform, many will remain trapped in poverty.”
— Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK

Summary Table

Conclusion

Carer’s Allowance continues to be a vital support for those balancing work and caring responsibilities. The 2025 earnings limit increase to £196 and modest weekly rate uplift to £83.30 offer a bit of needed breathing space. But the benefit still falls far short of providing financial stability. System flaws—especially the unforgiving overpayment rules—compound the stress for many. As things stand, transparency, better thresholds, and a full reform of Carer’s Allowance are non-negotiable. In the meantime, make sure you know how to apply, what counts, and when to report changes to protect your claim.

FAQs

What is the current rate of Carer’s Allowance?

As of 2024–25, it’s £81.90 per week, rising to £83.30 from April 2025.

Can I work and still receive Carer’s Allowance?

Yes—if your earnings remain at or below £196 per week after deductions (from April 2025).

What if I earn just a little too much?

Going even £1 over the limit disqualifies you completely and may trigger repayment demands.

How do I claim the allowance?

Apply online via GOV.UK or by completing form DS700/DS700(SP). You can backdate claims up to 3 months.

What details do I need for the application?

You’ll need your NI number, bank details, employment info (payslip or P45), course info if you study, and details about the person you care for, including their disability reference if they’re under 16.

What should I do if my situation changes?

Report any changes—pay, caring hours, hospital stays, or the cared-for person’s status—immediately to avoid overpayments.

Stephanie Rodriguez

Professional author and subject matter expert with formal training in journalism and digital content creation. Published work spans multiple authoritative platforms. Focuses on evidence-based writing with proper attribution and fact-checking.