Benefit myths busted: Are you a carer missing out on free cash?

If you’re a carer, you might be entitled to extra financial support. But many carers miss out because of common myths and misunderstandings.

According to 2024 estimates, around half a million unpaid carers in the UK who looked after frail, ill and disabled loved ones failed to claim carer’s allowance. The analyst group Policy in Practice estimated that 529,000 carers who were eligible to claim the benefit did not do so, collectively losing out on more than £2bn.

Here, we clear up the most common myths around support for carers.

Myth 1: “You have to be a full-time carer to get support”

Think you only qualify if caring takes over your whole life?

Not true.

You may be eligible for carer’s allowance if you:

• provide at least 35 hours of care a week, and
• earn below the earnings limit

If you’re on universal credit, you may also qualify for the carer element, which increases your monthly payment, even if you’re working or not receiving carer’s allowance.

Myth 2: “You can’t work and receive carer’s allowance”

Wrong.

You can work and still receive carer’s allowance, as long as your earnings stay below the weekly limit.

Many carers balance paid work alongside caring responsibilities, the system allows for this.

Myth 3: “A ‘carer’ is a paid professional”

With regards to benefits and support services, a carer is usually unpaid.

A carer is typically a friend or family member who looks after someone because of:

• age
• disability
• physical or mental illness

Paid care workers are treated differently under the benefits system.

Myth 4: “You must live with or be related to the person you care for”

This is not true.

You do not have to:

• live with the person you care for, or
• be related to them

What matters is the amount of care you provide, not your relationship or address.

Myth 5: “If you care for more than one person, you’ll get paid more”

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.

You can only receive one carer’s allowance payment, even if you care for more than one person.

Benefits you may be able to claim as a carer

Carer’s allowance

You could get £83.30 a week of carer’s allowance if:

• you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week, and
• they receive certain qualifying benefits

Carer’s credit

If you’re not eligible for carer’s allowance, you may still qualify for carer’s credit.

You could get this if you:

• care for someone for at least 20 hours a week

Carer’s credit:

• is a national insurance credit
• helps protect your state pension, which is based on your national insurance record

If you get universal credit

• your universal credit payment will be reduced by the amount of any carer’s allowance you receive
• you may still get an extra carer element, even if you don’t receive carer’s allowance

If you’ve reached state pension age

If you receive pension credit, your payments will increase if you’re eligible for carer’s allowance.

Don’t miss out 

Many carers are entitled to support but never claim it.

If you’re not sure whether you qualify for carer’s allowance or other benefits, we can help.

You can either give us a ring and we’ll check for you, or use our free benefits calculator to see what support you could get.