Attendance Allowance for Carers: The Full Picture
When we talk about attendance allowance for carers, we need to clarify an important point: attendance allowance is paid to the person being cared for, not the carer. However, it plays a vital role in supporting the whole caring relationship.
How Attendance Allowance Supports Carers
Receiving attendance allowance benefits carers in several ways:
- It can be used to pay for respite care, giving the carer a break
- It enables the person being cared for to contribute towards their own care costs
- It unlocks carers allowance eligibility for the person providing care
Carers Allowance: The Benefit for Carers
If you provide at least 35 hours of care per week to someone receiving attendance allowance, you may be eligible for carers allowance (£81.90 per week in 2026). The attendance allowance award is the gateway to this benefit.
The Interaction Between the Two Benefits
When a carer claims carers allowance, it can affect the severe disability premium element of the cared-for person's pension credit. Our advisers always calculate the net household impact before advising.
Respite Care and Attendance Allowance
Many families use attendance allowance to fund respite care - short-term residential care that gives the primary carer a break. This is one of the most important uses of the benefit.
Support for Carers
If you are caring for someone and are unsure whether they should be claiming attendance allowance, contact our team. We handle the claim, which benefits both the person you care for and potentially yourself through carers allowance.