Quick answer: If you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who gets a qualifying disability benefit, such as the daily living part of PIP or Attendance Allowance, you may be able to get Carer's Allowance. You must be 16 or over, not in full-time education, and earning no more than the weekly limit. In Scotland, you apply for Carer Support Payment instead.
Checked on 10 October 2026 against GOV.UK: Carer's Allowance, mygov.scot: Carer Support Payment and nidirect: Carer's Allowance. Amounts are the ones shown on those pages on that date and usually change each April.
Arthritis rarely affects just one person. Partners, adult children, parents and friends often take on more and more: helping with washing and dressing, cooking, getting to appointments, managing medicines, or simply being around on bad days. Many do not think of themselves as "carers", so they never check what help they could get. This guide explains Carer's Allowance and the other support that is available across the UK.
Are you a carer?
You are a carer if you regularly look after someone who could not manage without your help because of illness, disability or age. You do not have to live with them or be related to them. For someone with arthritis, caring might include:
- helping them get up, washed, dressed and to the toilet
- preparing meals or cutting up food when their hands are painful
- helping with medicines, injections or eye drops
- doing shopping, laundry and cleaning
- taking them to GP, hospital or physiotherapy appointments
- keeping an eye on them, especially if they are at risk of falling
- emotional support during flares
Carer's Allowance (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
On 10 October 2026, GOV.UK said you could get £86.45 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. You do not get extra if you care for more than one person. You can be paid weekly in advance or every 4 weeks. For each week you get Carer's Allowance you automatically get National Insurance credits.
Who can get it
GOV.UK says all of the following must apply:
- you are 16 or over
- you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone
- you normally live in England or Wales (Northern Ireland has its own version with similar rules, run by the Department for Communities)
- you are not in full-time education and not studying for 21 hours a week or more
- your earnings are £204 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses
The 35 hours can include practical help, keeping an eye on someone, and helping with paperwork, appointments and household tasks. It does not have to be all in one place or done every single day in the same way.
The person you care for must get a qualifying benefit
Qualifying benefits include:
- the daily living part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Adult Disability Payment daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance, middle or highest care rate
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- certain rates of Constant Attendance Allowance
This is why it can help for the person with arthritis to claim PIP (or Attendance Allowance if they are over State Pension age) first. See our PIP for arthritis guide and the benefits and PIP hub. You can claim Carer's Allowance before their benefit is decided, and backdate your claim by up to 3 months.
How earnings are worked out
Earnings are income from employment and self-employment after tax, National Insurance and expenses. GOV.UK says expenses can include:
- 50% of your pension contributions
- equipment you need for your job
- travel costs between workplaces that your employer does not pay
- business costs if you are self-employed
- care costs of up to 50% of your earnings, if you pay someone (not a close relative) to look after the person you care for or your children while you work
Money from an occupational or private pension does not count as earnings.
Carer Support Payment (Scotland)
If you live in Scotland, you apply for Carer Support Payment from Social Security Scotland instead of Carer's Allowance. On 10 October 2026, mygov.scot said it was up to £86.45 a week, with:
- Scottish Carer Supplement: £11.70 a week, paid automatically on top
- Carer Additional Person Payment: £10.40 a week for each additional person you care for who gets a qualifying benefit
Payments are usually made every 4 weeks in arrears. If you move between Scotland and the rest of Great Britain, you need to tell both agencies and make a new claim. GOV.UK says Carer's Allowance stops 13 weeks after you move to Scotland.
How it affects other benefits
This is the part that catches people out. Use a benefits calculator before you claim.
| Situation | What GOV.UK says happens |
|---|---|
| The person you care for gets a severe disability premium or the extra amount for severe disability in Pension Credit | It will usually stop when you get Carer's Allowance. They might also lose a Council Tax reduction. |
| You get Universal Credit | Your Universal Credit is reduced by the amount of Carer's Allowance, but you may get an extra carer element (£209.34 a month on 10 October 2026). |
| You get State Pension | You cannot get the full amount of both. If your State Pension is £86.45 a week or more, you will not get a Carer's Allowance payment, but your Pension Credit may increase. |
| Benefit cap | You will not be affected by the benefit cap. |
GOV.UK says your total benefit payments will usually go up or stay the same when you claim. But because the person you care for can lose money, talk it through together first.
You cannot get the Universal Credit carer element if you get the LCWRA amount for your own health. See our ESA and Universal Credit guide.
Carer's Credit
If you do not qualify for Carer's Allowance, you may be able to get Carer's Credit. It fills gaps in your National Insurance record, which protects your State Pension. GOV.UK says you can get it if you care for one or more people for at least 20 hours a week. You can still get it during breaks from caring of up to 12 weeks in a row.
Changes you must report
Tell the Carer's Allowance Unit (or the Disability and Carers Service in Northern Ireland, or Social Security Scotland) about changes such as:
- your earnings going over the limit
- starting or ending full-time education
- you or the person you care for going into hospital, a nursing home or respite care for more than 12 weeks
- stopping caring for more than 28 days for any other reason
- the person you care for no longer getting their qualifying benefit
- the person you care for dying
If you do not report changes, you may be overpaid and have to repay the money.
A carer's assessment
Separate from benefits, the NHS says a carer's assessment is free and anyone over 18 can ask for one. Contact adult social services at the local council of the person you care for. Someone will ask how caring affects your physical and mental health, work, free time and relationships. If you qualify for help, the council writes a support plan with you. Support might include respite care, equipment or help with costs, sometimes after a means test.
In Scotland, the equivalent is called an adult carer support plan. In Wales and Northern Ireland, ask the local authority or Health and Social Care Trust for a carer's assessment. Our carer's assessment guide explains how to prepare.
Your rights at work
- Carer's leave. GOV.UK says employees are entitled to up to one week of unpaid carer's leave every 12 months, from their first day of work. You can take it as a whole week, days or half days, with notice.
- Flexible working. You can request flexible working, such as part-time hours or home working. You do not have to tell your employer about your caring role.
- Time off for emergencies involving someone who depends on you.
Northern Ireland has different employment law, so check nidirect. If you have arthritis yourself, see our Access to Work guide and sick pay and fit notes guide.
Template: a one-week caring log
You do not have to send a log with your claim, but writing down a typical week helps you check whether you reach 35 hours, and it is useful for a carer's assessment or if the person you care for claims PIP. Copy this into a notebook or document.
| Day | What I helped with | Roughly how long | Notes (flare, bad night, appointment) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | e.g. help getting up and dressed, breakfast, medicines | e.g. 1.5 hours | |
| Tuesday | |||
| Wednesday | |||
| Thursday | |||
| Friday | |||
| Saturday | |||
| Sunday | |||
| Total |
Include time spent keeping an eye on someone, doing their shopping and laundry, handling paperwork and going to appointments, not only hands-on personal care. Be honest: a log is a record, not a target.
Practical ways to make caring easier
- Ask for an occupational therapy assessment for the person you care for. Equipment such as perching stools, raised toilet seats, grab rails and kitchen aids can reduce how much physical help they need. This protects your back as well as their joints.
- Plan around stiffness. Many people with inflammatory arthritis are stiffest in the morning. If you can, shift tasks like showering to later in the day.
- Agree what help is wanted. Doing too much can take away independence. Talk about which tasks they want to keep doing, even if more slowly.
- Keep a medicines list and a note of the rheumatology advice line number somewhere easy to find.
Making a claim: practical tips
- Check the qualifying benefit. Has the person you care for claimed PIP, ADP or Attendance Allowance yet?
- Use a benefits calculator to see how your claim affects both of you.
- Gather details: your National Insurance number (and your partner's), bank details, employment details and payslips, and the details of the person you care for, including their National Insurance number if they are 16 or over.
- Apply online on GOV.UK (England and Wales), nidirect (Northern Ireland, or form DS700) or mygov.scot (Scotland).
- Keep records of when you applied and any reference numbers.
Looking after yourself
Caring can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Try to:
- tell your GP you are a carer, so they can offer support and flexible appointments
- ask about respite or short breaks through a carer's assessment
- learn safe ways to help with moving and lifting, for example from an occupational therapist
- connect with local carers' groups
- learn about the condition together; our newly diagnosed and pain relief guides, linked below, are good starting points
Where to get free advice
The NHS signposts Carers UK (0808 808 7777), Age UK (0800 678 1602) and Independent Age (0800 319 6789). Citizens Advice, Turn2us, Scope and Disability Rights UK also provide free information. We are not connected to these organisations. For a quick reference, see our disability benefits FAQ, linked below.
When to get medical help
Get urgent advice from NHS 111 or the GP if the person you care for has a sudden hot, swollen, very painful joint, especially with fever, a fall with injury, or a sudden change in confusion or mobility. Call 999 for emergencies such as chest pain or difficulty breathing. If caring is affecting your own health, physical or mental, speak to your GP.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get Carer's Allowance for looking after someone with arthritis?
Yes, if they get a qualifying benefit such as the daily living part of PIP or Attendance Allowance, and you meet the other rules, including caring for at least 35 hours a week.
Can I work and get Carer's Allowance?
Yes, as long as you care for at least 35 hours a week and your earnings are no more than the weekly limit (£204 after tax, National Insurance and expenses on 10 October 2026).
Will my partner lose money if I claim?
They might. If they get a severe disability premium or the severe disability amount in Pension Credit, it usually stops. Check with a benefits calculator or adviser first.
Can I get Carer's Allowance and State Pension?
You cannot get the full amount of both. If your State Pension is £86.45 a week or more, you will not get a Carer's Allowance payment, but you might get more Pension Credit.
Do I have to live with the person I care for?
No. You do not have to live with them or be related to them.
Can I backdate Carer's Allowance?
Yes, by up to 3 months, if you met the rules during that time.
What is different in Scotland?
You apply for Carer Support Payment from Social Security Scotland. It comes with the Scottish Carer Supplement and an extra payment for each additional person you care for who gets a qualifying benefit.
Sources and further reading
- GOV.UK: Carer's Allowance
- GOV.UK: Carer's Credit
- mygov.scot: Carer Support Payment
- nidirect: Carer's Allowance
- NHS: Carer's assessments
- GOV.UK: Carer's leave
- GOV.UK: Personal Independence Payment
Educational information for people in the United Kingdom — not legal, financial or personal medical advice. Benefit rules and rates change, so always check GOV.UK (or mygov.scot / nidirect) and get free advice before you act. Charity no. 1218461. Clinically reviewed by Louis Maxwell (HCPC PH128483). Everyone's situation is different, so always follow the advice of your own GP, pharmacist or rheumatology team. If you feel very unwell, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent advice, contact NHS 111.
Continue with related help
- Benefits and PIP hub — daily living and mobility support for the person you care for
- Disability benefits FAQ — PIP, ADP and related UK support
- PIP for arthritis (UK guide) — functional evidence tips
- Carer's assessments — council support for carers
- Sick pay and fit notes — if arthritis keeps you or them off work
- Access to Work — workplace support for the person with arthritis
- Newly diagnosed — first weeks after a diagnosis
- Arthritis pain relief — pacing and self-management