This is paid to help you look after someone with substantial care needs.

Carer’s Allowance is currently £86.45 a week to help you look after someone with substantial care needs.

You don’t have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for. You must be 16 or over and spend at least 35 hours a week caring for them. You also must be earning less than £204 per week.

Carer’s Allowance is taxable and it can also affect your other benefits, and the benefits of the person you care for. Means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit are reduced by the same amount you receive from Carer’s Allowance.

These and many other provisos can make applying for Carer’s Allowance a double-edged sword, so care must be taken when assessing the pros and cons.