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Carers Allowance
This is an income replacement benefit (see Introduction) for people who are caring for someone who receives Attendance Allowance or the middle or highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance. You must be caring for the disabled person for at least 35 hours per week. If you are also doing paid work, earnings must be less than the earnings limit set each year. Some of your earnings may be disregarded when calculating this if you pay someone (other than a close relative) to care for the disabled person when you are at work.
Carer's Allowance cannot be paid at the same time and to the same person as any other income replacement benefit. If you receive another income replacement benefit (eg Retirement Pension) you will still need to claim Carer's Allowance in order to qualify for the carer's premium or element included in certain means-tested benefits or tax credits.
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