Your rights as a carer

In short

• You may be a carer without thinking of yourself as one. You can ask for an assessment of your own needs, whatever the level of support the person you care for needs.
• Carer's Allowance in England, Wales and Northern Ireland needs at least 35 hours of care a week. In Scotland, Carer Support Payment is paid instead.
• Parents of disabled children have their own assessment rights in England. Young carers in Scotland can get a young carer statement.
• Each nation has its own rules. Check which one applies to where you live.

Who counts as a carer

In England, the Care Act 2014 describes a carer as an adult who provides, or plans to provide, care for another adult. Care can be practical or emotional support. Care given under a contract or as voluntary work does not usually count.

If you care for a disabled child, you may be a parent carer. In England, a parent carer is an adult who cares for a disabled child they have parental responsibility for.

Young carers are children and teenagers who look after someone. Their rights are different from adult carers, so ask about support for young carers in your area.

How to ask for an assessment

• England: under section 10 of the Care Act 2014, the council must assess you when it appears you may need support as a carer. It must look at whether you can keep caring, whether you want to work or study, and what you want to achieve. The duty applies whatever the council thinks about your level of need or your finances.
• Parents of disabled children in England: you can ask for a parent carer needs assessment under section 97 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
• Wales: under section 24 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, the council must assess a carer who may need support.
• Scotland: the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 provides adult carer support plans for adults and young carer statements for young carers. Ask your local council.
• Northern Ireland: if you give regular and significant care, you are entitled to a carer's assessment from your Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust. The phrase "regular and significant care" is not defined. If your situation changes, ask your key worker or social worker for a reassessment.

Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment

Carer's Allowance in England and Wales requires you to be 16 or over and to spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone. The person you care for must receive a qualifying benefit, such as Personal Independence Payment at the daily living rate, or the middle or highest care rate of Disability Living Allowance or Child Disability Payment. You do not need to be related to them or live with them.

You cannot be paid extra for caring for more than one person. If another person also cares for the same person, only one of you can claim.

Carer's Allowance can affect other benefits you or the person you care for receive. It can also be taxable if your income is above the Personal Allowance. Check these points before you claim.

In Northern Ireland, Carer's Allowance has similar rules. See the nidirect page on Carer's Allowance (opens in a new tab).

In Scotland, Carer Support Payment replaces Carer's Allowance. It is only available in Scotland and has its own eligibility rules. Check mygov.scot (opens in a new tab) before you apply.

Young carers

In Scotland, a young carer can ask their council for a young carer statement. It records the help they need and what would support them. Elsewhere, ask your school, local council or a carers' organisation what support is available.

Where to get help

Carers UK offers advice and support for carers across the UK, along with an online community. Membership is free. Citizens Advice can help with questions about benefits.

This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice.