Work and benefits when you're a carer

If you work full or part-time while caring, it might be hard to find the time for everything you need to do. 

Speak to your employer about your situation. Some employers have carer-friendly policies.  They may be able to offer you:

• carers’ leave – this may be paid or unpaid
• time off for taking the person you care for to appointments – this may be paid or unpaid 
• a carers’ support group or contact.

Citizens Advice has more information about taking time off work.

Find out more about your rights as a working carer from Carers UK.

If you regularly look after someone, you may be able to claim benefits and support. 

These will depend on where you live in the UK.

Use the Carers Trust online benefits calculator to work out which benefits you may be able to claim.

A carer’s assessment looks at the help and support you need in your role as a carer. Your local council or health service will do the assessment. Each UK nation has its own assessment so the process may be different.  

You may be asked questions about:

• how your caring role affects your life and wellbeing
• your own physical and mental health
• your feelings about caring
• your work and relationships 
• your housing 
• planning for emergencies.

You can find more details about the carer’s assessment from Carers UK. 

If you look after someone for 35 hours a week or more and they get certain benefits, you may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance. 

You do not need to live with or be related to the person you care for. Your eligibility depends on your circumstances, such as:

• your age – you must be 16 or older
• whether you work and what you earn
• whether you get other benefits.

Carer’s Credit is a National Insurance credit for people who care for someone for at least 20 hours a week. It can help fill gaps in your National Insurance record if caring means you cannot work. This helps protect your right to the State Pension.

You do not need to apply for Carer’s Credit if you get Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment because you’ll automatically get National Insurance credits. You will also automatically get credits if you get Child Benefits for a child under 12.

Find out more about Carer’s Credit on GOV.UK, including who is eligible and how to apply.

• Carer’s assessment – your local council can assess whether you have the support you need and are claiming the benefits you are entitled to.
• Carers Trust – information about money and benefits as a carer, including their benefits calculator 
• Citizens Advice – provides help and support for carers, including making day-to-day life easier and information on carers benefits. 
• Support and benefits for carers in the NHS social care and support guide – includes information about carer’s assessment, breaks and respite care
• Money Helper – information on support services available to carers.
• NHS continuing healthcare – this covers the full cost of care in your home, or in a care home. The person you care for may qualify if they have a ‘primary health need’, which means the care must involve managing their health needs rather than social or personal needs. 
• Help with costs – find out more about helpful equipment that may be helpful for the person you’re caring for and whether you can get help with the costs. [link TBA to H2 Helpful equipment on How to care page]
• Our helpline – our friendly helpline team can advise on any part of supporting someone with a lung condition, including what benefits you may be entitled to.