Carer's Allowance
Report a change in circumstances
You must report changes in your circumstances if you’re claiming or have applied for Carer’s Allowance.
Changes can include:
- starting a job
- starting or ending full-time education
- changes to your income
- stopping being a carer
- the person you care for no longer getting their disability benefit
- someone else who cares for the same person claiming Carer’s Allowance instead of you
- someone else who cares for the same person claims the carer’s element of Universal Credit
- changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen
You must tell the Department for Work and Pensions if the person you’re caring for dies.
You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.
If you temporarily stop providing care for someone
You can still get Carer’s Allowance if you temporarily stop providing care. This means any period when you spend less than 35 hours a week caring for the other person.
The person you care for must still receive their disability benefit.
You must tell DWP if you temporarily stop providing care and:
- you or the person you care for will be in hospital, a nursing home, or respite care for more than 12 weeks
- you stop caring for more than 28 days for any other reason
If you’ve been paid too much
You may have to repay the money if you:
- did not report a change straight away
- gave wrong information
- were overpaid by mistake
Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.