In this guide, we’re answering a common question from carers: can pensioners claim Carer’s Allowance? And does receiving Carer’s Allowance affect the station pension? We have provide you an overview of everything need to know about State Pension and Carer’s Allowance!
There isn’t a straightforward answer to this question, but typically the answer is no. However, there are some cases where you may be entitled to both, let us explain.
Anytime you are thinking about applying for a new benefit you think you may be entitled to, it is a sensible idea to first make sure that you are clear on how receiving that additional financial support will affect any other benefits or government payments you already receive.
Here, we’ll cover the relationship between the state pension and carers allowance, and what you need to know if you’re in receipt of both.
Contents:
- What is Carer’s Allowance?
- Can Pensioners Claim Carer’s Allowance?
- Doers Carer’s Allowance Affect The State Pension?
- Overlapping Benefits Rules
- Can I Get Carer’s Allowance Instead of My State Pension?
- Can I Get Carer’s Allowance if My Partner Receives a State Pension?
- Will Claiming Carer’s Allowance Affect the Person I Care For’s State Pension?
What is Carer’s Allowance?
Carer’s Allowance is a government benefit available to anyone who provides unpaid care for someone for more than 35 hours per week and earns less than £151 a week after tax. You can get up to £81.90 per week (rising to £83.30 per week on the 7th of April 2025), paid every four weeks, if you meet the eligibility conditions.
Read our full guide to Carer’s Allowance to get a full breakdown of the eligibility requirements, how to apply, and what you can receive. We’ll talk you through what you need to do step by step.
Can Pensioners Claim For Carers Allowance?
Yes, pensioners are able to claim Carer’s Allowance in the UK. There is no upper age limit to Carer’s Allowance, which means that even if you are retired, you could still receive this benefit if you are providing unpaid care for someone else.
However, with that said, Carer’s Allowance payments do typically stop when you reach retirement age. This is because you would normally start to be paid your State Pension – which no longer qualifies you for your Carer’s Allowance due to overlapping benefits rules. This is why it’s vitally important to understand how your State Pension and Carer’s Allowance can impact one another.
Does Carer’s Allowance Affect My State Pension?
If your pension is £81.90 per week or more, you will not be entitled to a Carer’s Allowance payment. If your pension is less than this, however, you can get a Carer’s Allowance payment to make up the difference.
You cannot receive both the full Carer’s Allowance amount and the full State Pension at the same time.
Despite these conditions, you should still apply for Carer’s Allowance if you meet the eligibility conditions. You will still have an underlying entitlement which could entitle you to extra money for other means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit or Housing Benefit.
What Are The Overlapping Benefits Rules?
Overlapping benefits rules mean that you cannot be paid Carer’s Allowance if you are already receiving any of the following:
- State Pension
- Contributory Employment and Support Allowance
- Incapacity Benefits
- Maternity Allowance
- Bereavement or Widow’s Benefits
- Severe Disablement Allowance
However, if your State Pension is less than the amount of Carer’s Allowance, you can claim an ‘underlying entitlement’ to Carer’s Allowance in recognition of your caring role, which will add an amount called the ‘Carer’s Addition’ to your benefits. You can think of it as a top-up.
Can I get Carer’s Allowance Instead Of My State Pension?
Yes, you could opt to carry on receiving Carer’s Allowance instead of your state pension. The downside of this approach is that you won’t build up any extra pension during this time – seeking further advice is always recommend before you make any decisions like these.
Can I Get Carer’s Allowance If My Partner Is Paid State Pension?
If your partner is paid a State Pension and receives an additional amount for you, you are still entitled to Carer’s Allowance if you are not yet at retirement age.
Please be aware that the amount your partner receives for you will be affected in this case:
- If your Carer’s Allowance amount is greater than or equal to the amount your partner is given for you, the additional amount won’t be paid.
- If the amount is lower, you will be entitled to an ‘adult dependent addition’ that pays the difference via your partner’s state pension.
Take your time to do your research and make the calculations and you will be able to see which option puts you in the best financial position.
Will Claiming Carer’s Allowance Affect The Person I Care For’s State Pension?
No, claiming for Carer’s Allowance will not affect the State Pension of the person you care for (if they are receiving one), nor will it affect their disability benefit.
This means that if you are providing unpaid care for someone who is retired and receives a pension, you can still claim for financial support for yourself without affecting them.
Key Takeaways
The relationship between State Pension and Carer’s Allowance can be confusing, but with the right information, it doesn’t have to be:
- Carer’s Allowance is available to anyone who provides unpaid care for more than 35 hours per week, and earns less than £151 a week after tax
- You can get up to £81.90 per week (rising to £83.30 per week on the 7th of April 2025), paid every four weeks
- If your pension is £81.90 per week or more, you will not be entitled to a Carer’s Allowance payment
- If your pension is less than this, however, you can get a Carer’s Allowance payment to make up the difference
- You cannot receive both the full Carer’s Allowance amount and the full State Pension at the same time
Insurance for carers: we provide insurance for paid carers to protect yourself while working. Get a quote for your carers insurance here.
Additionally, if you receive direct payments to employ a carer, our Direct Payments Insurance is designed to provide you with the cover you are legally required to have.
Additionally, if you receive direct payments to employ a carer, our Direct Payments Insurance is designed to provide you with cover. You are legally required to have cover in place from day one and we are the experts in making sure you are protected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim the full Carer’s Allowance and full State Pension?
Unfortunately not, there are a series of overlapping benefit rules that prevent this from happening.
When will my Carer’s Allowance increase?
On the 7th of April 2025, it will rise from £81.90 per week to £83.30 per week. It will still be paid every four weeks.
Can anyone be a carer?
Yes, the government recognises people from all walks of life as carers, provided they meet the eligibility requirements. Regardless of your specific care arrangement, we strongly recommend that you have specialist insurance for carers in place for peace of mind.
