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You might not think of yourself as a carer. But you probably are if you're looking after someone regularly, including your spouse or a family member, because they're ill or disabled.
As a carer, you may be entitled to one or more state benefits to help you with the costs.
Carer's Allowance is the main state benefit for carers. It's £81.90 a week.
You look after someone for at least 35 hours a week.
You get more than £81.90 a week from some other benefits. But it's still worth applying as you may have what's called an underlying entitlement to Carer's Allowance. This can help increase other benefits you're getting.
A National Insurance (NI) contribution to help make sure you do not lose out on some social security benefits, such as the State Pension, because of gaps in your NI record.
You look after someone for at least 20 hours a week and you do not get Carer's Allowance.
An allowance you get on top of some benefits.
You already get a benefit, such as Income Support or Housing Benefit.
Ask about it at your local Jobcentre Plus or Jobs and Benefits Office.
An allowance to help with the extra costs of looking after a child under 16 years old with a disability. It's between £28.70 and £184.30 a week.
You're the parent or carer of a disabled child.
Check if you're entitled to Carer's Allowance and other benefits with the entitled to benefits calculator.
As a carer, you may be eligible for support from your local council. Before you receive any help from your local council, you need to have a carer's assessment.
Find out how to get a carer's assessment
Get expert benefits advice, plus help filling in claim forms, from:
You can challenge a benefits decision if:
You can find out how to challenge a benefits decision on the Carers UK website
