Who Is an Unpaid Carer?

An unpaid carer is someone who provides regular support to a friend, family member, partner, parent, or neighbour because of illness, disability, frailty, mental health needs, or substance misuse, without being paid for it. You don’t need to be living with the person you care for to be considered a carer.

Money & Benefits for Unpaid Carers in the UK

Being an unpaid carer can be rewarding, but it can also be demanding, both emotionally and financially. The UK has a range of benefits, grants, and support schemes to help carers manage the financial side of caring. This page explains what’s available, who can get it, and how to apply.

Carer’s Allowance

What it is:
A benefit for people whose caring responsibilities affect their ability to work.

Eligibility (basic requirements):

You’re aged 16 or over
You care for someone at least 35 hours a week
The person you care for receives one of the relevant disability benefits (e.g., Daily Living Component of PIP, Attendance Allowance, or certain rates of Disability Living Allowance)
You earn no more than a set amount per week after certain deductions
You’re in Great Britain (rules vary slightly in Northern Ireland)

Note: Carer’s Allowance can affect other benefits (for both you and the person you care for), so it’s important to get advice.

How much:
A weekly rate set by the UK Government, updated annually.

Use Mobilise’s online Carers Allowance Checker to quickly check if you’re eligible

Carer Premiums and Additional Amounts

If you already get certain means-tested benefits (e.g. Universal Credit, Income Support, Pension Credit, or Housing Benefit) and you care for someone long-term, you may qualify for a carer premium or extra amount, which increases how much you get.

For example: The Carer Premium and Carer Addition are worth £46.40 a week (2025/26). The Carer Element (paid with Universal Credit) is worth £201.68 a month (2025/26).

Carer’s Credit

What it is:
A National Insurance (NI) credit that helps protect your state pension and other contributions when your caring role stops you working or reduces your hours.

Who it’s for:
Carer’s Credit is for carers who:

Why it matters:
NI contributions are used to build your State Pension. If you don’t work enough hours, you might not earn enough qualifying years toward your pension. Carer’s Credit helps fill gaps in your NI record.

Use Mobilise’s online Carers Credit Checker to quickly check if you’re eligible

How to apply:
You can apply online or by phone (through the UK Government or HMRC)