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© 2026. The Purpl Co Limited. All rights reserved.
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© 2026. The Purpl Co Limited. All rights reserved.
15 min read
Written by
Georgina, Founder of Purpl
Published on
October 15, 2026
Last reviewed: 15 October 2026
Applies to: UK
Written by: Georgina, Founder of Purpl | Disabled & Neurodivergent Advocate
Unpaid carers in the UK may qualify for Carer’s Allowance, Carer Support Payment in Scotland, extra Universal Credit, Council Tax reductions, charitable grants and help with household bills. Depending on their circumstances, carers may also receive National Insurance credits, free companion entry and discounts that help reduce everyday costs.
If you’re looking after a disabled child, supporting a partner with a long-term health condition or helping an elderly parent, you might not even think of yourself as a carer. You’re simply doing what needs to be done for someone you love.
But caring can come with financial pressures of its own. You might have reduced your working hours, taken time off for appointments or found that your household bills have increased.
And while Carer’s Allowance is probably the best-known benefit, it isn’t the only support worth checking.
We’ve put together this guide to help you understand what you could be entitled to, where to apply and how to make your money go further.
Alongside benefits and grants, it’s worth looking at ways to reduce the costs you’re already facing. Groceries, energy bills, household essentials and days out can all add up, especially if caring has affected your income.
Purpl helps eligible disabled people, people with long-term health conditions, and parents and carers access discounts on groceries, household essentials, utilities, travel and days out.
Membership starts from £1 a month when paid annually, and you don’t necessarily need PIP or a Blue Badge to qualify.
Carer’s Allowance is £86.45 per week in 2026/27, approximately £4,495 a year. You generally need to provide at least 35 hours of care each week for someone receiving a qualifying disability benefit and meet the earnings and other eligibility rules.
To qualify, you’ll need to meet several conditions. These include:
You don’t need to live with the person you care for or be related to them.
Caring isn’t limited to washing, dressing or personal care.
It can include making meals, helping with medication, going to appointments, shopping, dealing with household tasks or supervising someone who needs support.
You might, for example, have a parent who lives in their own home but relies on you for meals, medication, shopping and managing day-to-day life. That time can still form part of your caring responsibilities.
The person you care for generally needs a qualifying disability benefit, such as:
Check the full eligibility criteria before applying, particularly if either of you already receives means-tested benefits.
Purpl Tip: Try keeping a record of everything you do for the person you care for over seven days. Include preparing meals, medication, appointments, shopping and time spent supervising them. It’s easy to underestimate how much care you’re providing when it’s simply part of your normal routine.
Important: Claiming Carer’s Allowance can affect other benefits received by you or the person you care for. Check the financial implications before making a claim.
Yes. You can work while claiming Carer’s Allowance if your assessable earnings are no more than £204 per week in 2026/27, after allowable deductions. You must also continue to provide at least 35 hours of qualifying care each week.
The earnings limit isn’t necessarily based on your gross salary. Certain deductions can be taken into account, including Income Tax, National Insurance, qualifying pension contributions and some employment-related expenses.
This means someone earning more than £204 before deductions could still qualify if their assessable earnings fall within the permitted limit.
However, Carer’s Allowance has a strict earnings threshold rather than a gradual reduction as earnings increase.
If your calculated earnings exceed the limit, you may lose entitlement for the relevant period.
If your working hours or earnings change, report this promptly to avoid potential overpayments.
Purpl Tip: If your earnings vary, keep your payslips and records of allowable deductions. Even a small change in assessable earnings can affect your entitlement, so report changes promptly rather than waiting until your next payment.
Unpaid carers in Scotland may qualify for Carer Support Payment, Scottish Carer Supplement and Carer Additional Person Payment. Together, these payments can provide additional financial help, particularly for people caring for more than one eligible person.
Carer Support Payment has largely replaced Carer’s Allowance in Scotland and is administered by Social Security Scotland.
For 2026/27, Carer Support Payment is worth up to £86.45 per week.
You generally need to provide at least 35 hours of unpaid care per week for someone receiving a qualifying disability benefit, alongside meeting the other eligibility requirements.
The earnings limit is £204 per week after allowable deductions.
From March 2026, Scottish Carer Supplement replaced the former twice-yearly Carer’s Allowance Supplement for most eligible carers.
The payment is worth £11.70 per week in 2026/27.
Unlike the previous arrangement, the supplement is paid regularly alongside Carer Support Payment.
This means someone receiving the full amount of both payments could receive:
| Payment | Weekly amount |
|---|---|
| Carer Support Payment | £86.45 |
| Scottish Carer Supplement | £11.70 |
| Total | £98.15 |
That’s approximately £5,104 per year.
Eligible recipients receive the supplement automatically rather than making a separate application.
You can read more about the change in the Scottish Carer Supplement guidance.
A small number of people who remain on the older Carer’s Allowance arrangements may continue receiving the previous twice-yearly supplement.
For 2026/27, Carer Additional Person Payment is worth £10.40 per week for each additional eligible person you care for.
To qualify, you generally need to receive Carer Support Payment and provide at least 20 hours of care per week for each additional person, who must receive a qualifying disability benefit.
However, if your Carer Support Payment is reduced to £0 because of overlapping benefit rules, you won’t qualify for Carer Additional Person Payment.
For example, someone caring for two eligible people who receives the full Carer Support Payment could potentially receive:
| Payment | Weekly amount |
|---|---|
| Carer Support Payment | £86.45 |
| Scottish Carer Supplement | £11.70 |
| Carer Additional Person Payment | £10.40 |
| Total | £108.55 |
That’s approximately £5,645 per year, subject to eligibility.
Purpl Insight: If you care for more than one person, don’t assume the rules are the same across the UK. Scotland’s additional-person payment makes it particularly important to check your entitlement rather than relying on information aimed at carers in England or Wales.
Yes. Eligible unpaid carers can receive an additional £209.34 per month through the Universal Credit carer element in 2026/27. You don’t have to claim Carer’s Allowance to qualify, but you must meet the relevant caring and disability benefit conditions.
You generally need to provide at least 35 hours of care each week.
If you receive both Carer’s Allowance and Universal Credit, however, your Carer’s Allowance is normally deducted from your Universal Credit award. Don’t simply add the two figures together when estimating what you’ll receive.
Purpl Tip: If you’re already receiving Universal Credit and become a carer, report your caring responsibilities through your online account. Don’t assume the carer element will automatically be added because the person you care for receives a disability benefit.
Carer’s Credit isn’t money paid into your bank account.
Instead, it helps protect your National Insurance record, which can affect your future State Pension entitlement.
You may qualify if you provide at least 20 hours of care each week and meet the other eligibility conditions.
This can be particularly valuable if you’ve reduced your hours or stopped working because of caring responsibilities.
For example, if you leave work to care for your disabled partner, you may no longer pay enough National Insurance to build qualifying years towards your State Pension. Carer’s Credit can help protect that record.
Your income, savings and investments do not affect eligibility.
If you already receive Carer’s Allowance payments or Carer Support Payment, you’ll generally receive National Insurance credits automatically.
Purpl Tip: Carer’s Credit is easy to dismiss because it doesn’t give you money today, but a gap in your National Insurance record can matter years later. If caring has taken you out of work or reduced your hours, check your NI record as well as your current benefits.
Yes, some unpaid carers can get Council Tax discounts depending on their living arrangements and circumstances. Low-income households may also qualify for Council Tax Reduction, while homes with qualifying disability-related adaptations or space may be eligible for a Disabled Band Reduction.
For example, some live-in carers may be disregarded for Council Tax purposes if they meet specific conditions relating to caring hours, the support they provide and their relationship to the person receiving care.
If your household has a low income, you may qualify for Council Tax Reduction through your local council.
The amount depends on your circumstances and the rules in your area.
If your home has certain features needed by a disabled resident, you may qualify for a reduction in your Council Tax band.
This could apply where the property has been adapted or has additional space required because of a disability.
You can check the different types of support through GOV.UK’s Council Tax discounts guidance.
Purpl Tip: Don’t just ask your council whether there’s a discount for carers. Check Council Tax Reduction, whether anyone in your household can be disregarded for Council Tax purposes, and whether disability-related adaptations or extra space could qualify your home for a Disabled Band Reduction.
Unpaid carers may qualify for charitable grants to help with essential household items, respite, equipment, emergency costs or disability-related expenses. Funding depends on individual circumstances, and organisations such as Turn2us can help carers find suitable grants.
Depending on the organisation, grants may help with:
Grants have different eligibility rules, and some may only be available in particular areas or for specific circumstances.
Turn2us provides a grants search tool that can help people identify charitable funding based on their personal circumstances.
You can explore available support through the Turn2us Grants Search.
Carers UK and local carers’ organisations can also help identify support available in your area.
At Purpl, we also have our own Community Grant Fund, which helps eligible members with disability-related needs.
Through our first funding round, we’ve seen just how varied these costs can be. From specialist equipment to practical support that makes everyday life more accessible, sometimes a relatively small amount of funding can make a significant difference.
You can read about our first grant recipients and find out more about the fund here:
https://www.purpldiscounts.com/blog/purpl-community-grant-fund-first-recipients
Funding rounds have their own eligibility criteria, and applicants must meet the membership requirements for the relevant round.
Purpl Tip: Don’t rule yourself out of grants because you receive benefits, work or have already had help from somewhere else. Every grant has different criteria. Search based on your circumstances and what you actually need funding for.
Yes. Eligible carers’ households may qualify for the £150 Warm Home Discount in winter 2026/27, energy supplier hardship funds and additional practical support through the free Priority Services Register. Eligibility depends on household circumstances and the scheme.
For winter 2026/27, the Warm Home Discount provides a £150 reduction in electricity bills for eligible households in England, Scotland and Wales.
The scheme does not operate in Northern Ireland, where separate energy support may be available.
Eligibility depends on where you live, the benefits you receive and your energy supplier. You don’t automatically qualify simply because you’re a carer.
The Priority Services Register (PSR) is free and provides additional support to people who may need extra assistance from their energy supplier or network operator.
It doesn’t normally make your energy cheaper, but it can provide practical support, including additional communication and help during power interruptions.
This can be particularly important where someone relies on electrically powered medical equipment.
Some energy companies also have hardship funds for customers struggling with debt or essential household costs.
It’s worth asking your supplier what help is available rather than waiting until bills become unmanageable.
Purpl Tip: If someone in your household has a disability or long-term health condition, ask your energy supplier about the Priority Services Register, hardship funds and any additional support available. It’s also worth checking whether you qualify for the Warm Home Discount and comparing energy offers before renewing or switching.
Parents of disabled children may qualify for DLA for children or Child Disability Payment in Scotland, Carer’s Allowance, extra Universal Credit, Council Tax support and charitable grants. Eligibility depends on the child’s needs, household circumstances and where the family lives.
Alongside the main disability and carer benefits, it’s worth checking:
DLA for children can help with the extra costs of looking after a child who needs substantially more care or supervision than another child of the same age without a disability, or who has mobility difficulties.
The amount depends on your child’s needs and the components awarded.
In Scotland, Child Disability Payment has replaced DLA for children.
Potentially, yes.
If your child receives a qualifying disability benefit and you provide at least 35 hours of care each week, you could qualify for Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment if you meet the other conditions.
Purpl Insight: Parents often don’t describe what they do as “caring”, because it’s simply part of being their child’s parent. But if your child needs significantly more support because of their disability or health condition, check what you’re entitled to. Don’t automatically assume financial support is only for professional or adult carers.
People caring for disabled or older adults may qualify for Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit support, Carer’s Credit and other financial help. The person receiving care may also qualify for benefits such as PIP, Adult Disability Payment or Attendance Allowance, depending on their age and circumstances.
It’s worth checking both people’s entitlement, as a disability benefit award can sometimes affect the financial support available to the wider household.
Depending on their age and circumstances, the person you care for may qualify for support including:
For example, if you’re caring for an older parent who isn’t receiving Attendance Allowance, it’s worth checking whether they could qualify.
Yes. Pension-age carers may qualify for an additional £48.15 per week in Pension Credit in 2026/27 if they receive Carer’s Allowance, Carer Support Payment in Scotland, or have an underlying entitlement to one of these benefits.
This is particularly important if you’re caring for a disabled partner or family member and already receive a State Pension.
You might not receive Carer’s Allowance payments because your State Pension is higher. However, if you meet the Carer’s Allowance eligibility rules and establish what’s known as an underlying entitlement, you could still qualify for the extra amount in Pension Credit.
The £48.15 isn’t automatically added to everyone’s pension. Pension Credit is means-tested, so the amount you actually receive depends on your household circumstances.
Purpl Tip: If you’ve been told you can’t receive Carer’s Allowance because of your State Pension, don’t assume there’s no financial help available. Check whether you have an underlying entitlement and whether this could increase your Pension Credit.
You can check the official rules on GOV.UK’s Pension Credit guidance.
Some carers can access free companion tickets, discounted attraction entry and travel concessions when accompanying an eligible disabled person. There is no universal UK-wide discount for all carers, and eligibility varies by provider and scheme.
Depending on the disabled person’s eligibility, you may be able to access:
Many schemes base eligibility on the disabled person’s circumstances rather than the carer’s own status, so always check the evidence required before booking.
Important: Claiming Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment can affect certain benefits received by the person you care for, including some severe disability additions. Check the impact on both people’s benefits before applying.
Purpl Tip: Before booking tickets for yourself and the person you care for, check whether the venue offers free essential companion entry. Many attractions have these arrangements, but the eligibility and evidence requirements aren’t always obvious on the main booking page.
Alongside benefits and grants, discounts can help carers reduce everyday household spending.
For example, saving money on groceries, energy, household essentials and days out can make a difference, particularly if caring responsibilities have reduced your income.
Yes. Eligible parents and carers can join Purpl alongside disabled people and people with long-term health conditions.
You don’t necessarily need PIP or a Blue Badge to qualify, and membership starts from £1 a month when paid annually.
Purpl offers discounts across everyday spending categories, including groceries, utilities, travel, days out and household essentials, including:
Morrisons: 10% off eligible online grocery orders of £25 or more.
Octopus Energy: £50 energy credit, subject to offer terms.
Purpl Tip: Before making a purchase or booking something for your family, check whether there’s a Purpl offer available. Regular savings on things you already buy can add up over time.
The easiest way to start checking your financial entitlement is to use a free benefits calculator. This can help identify support you may be missing, including Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit additions, Pension Credit and other means-tested benefits.
It’s worth checking your household’s circumstances rather than focusing on just one benefit.
If you or the person you care for already receives benefits, get advice before making a new claim where there is a possibility it could affect existing entitlement.
Purpl Tip: Recheck your entitlement whenever something significant changes. A new disability benefit award, reduced working hours, a change in caring responsibilities or someone reaching State Pension age can all be reasons to run another benefits calculation.
Yes. You don’t need to be a professional carer.
If you care for your partner, parent, child or another family member, you could potentially qualify for Carer’s Allowance, Carer Support Payment or other financial support if you meet the relevant conditions.
Yes. In 2026/27, you can potentially receive Carer’s Allowance while working if your earnings are no more than £204 per week after allowable deductions and you meet the other eligibility rules.
Yes, potentially. Receiving PIP doesn’t automatically stop you claiming Carer’s Allowance for caring for someone else. You must still meet the caring hours, earnings and other eligibility requirements.
Generally, only one person can receive Carer’s Allowance for caring for the same person.
Check the specific rules if caring responsibilities are shared.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you don’t receive twice the normal Carer’s Allowance simply because you care for two people.
In Scotland, eligible carers receiving Carer Support Payment may qualify for Carer Additional Person Payment when caring for more than one qualifying person.
Being a carer doesn’t automatically give you free NHS prescriptions in England.
You could qualify for free prescriptions for another reason, including certain benefits, age, a medical exemption or through the NHS Low Income Scheme.
Prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Eligible parents and carers can join Purpl alongside disabled people and people with long-term health conditions.
You don’t necessarily need PIP or a Blue Badge. Check Purpl’s current membership eligibility information for the evidence you can use.
Yes. Even if you don’t qualify for Carer’s Allowance, you may still be eligible for Carer’s Credit, Universal Credit support, Concil Tax reductions, charitable grants or help with household bills. Eligibility depends on your individual circumstances.
People receiving a State Pension can sometimes qualify for Carer’s Allowance, but overlapping benefit rules may mean they don’t receive both payments in full.
Even if you cannot receive Carer’s Allowance payments, having an underlying entitlement may help you qualify for additional means-tested support, such as an extra amount in Pension Credit.
If you’re caring for someone, it’s worth checking more than just Carer’s Allowance. Depending on your circumstances, you could qualify for extra Universal Credit, help with Council Tax, grants, energy support and other financial assistance.
And don’t forget to check the benefits available to the person you care for. An award such as PIP, DLA or Attendance Allowance could affect what other support your household can access.
My advice is to look at the bigger picture. Check your benefit entitlement, find out whether any grants could help with disability-related costs, and make the most of free companion schemes and everyday discounts.
At Purpl, we’re working to make everyday life more affordable for disabled people, people with long-term health conditions, and parents and carers. From household essentials to days out, our discounts are another way to help make your money go further.
Georgina is the Founder of Purpl, a disabled-led organisation created to help reduce the extra costs that come with disability.
Living with Multiple Sclerosis herself, Georgina understands first-hand that the financial impact of disability goes far beyond the costs people immediately think about. Purpl brings together discounts, practical money-saving information, benefits and support guides, and its Community Grant Fund to help disabled people, people with long-term health conditions, and parents and carers make their money go further.
Important: This article provides general information about financial support in the UK. Benefit rates, eligibility rules and individual circumstances can change, and some schemes operate differently across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Always check current official guidance before applying for a benefit or changing an existing claim.