Getting paid to care for a family member in England

There are two separate things people often mix up. Carer's Allowance is a benefit paid to you as a carer — it is an income support, not wages for the care you give. Direct Payments are council money given to the person you care for, which they may be able to use to employ a carer — and in some cases that carer can be a family member.

Track 1: Carer's Allowance — a benefit paid to you

Carer's Allowance is £86.45 a week for the 2026/27 tax year. It is not payment for hours worked; it is a modest income support for people whose caring limits their ability to earn.

  • • You must be 16 or over.
  • • You must care for someone at least 35 hours a week.
  • • You must earn no more than £204 a week after allowable deductions.
  • • The person you care for must receive a qualifying disability benefit — PIP daily living component, DLA middle or higher rate care component, or any rate of Attendance Allowance, among others.
  • • You do not need to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.

Apply online at gov.uk/carers-allowance or by post. A claim can usually be backdated up to 3 months, so it is worth applying as soon as you think you may qualify.

Our Carer's Allowance checklist walks through what you'll need before applying.

Track 2: Direct Payments — when a family member can actually be paid

Direct Payments sit under the Care Act 2014. After a care needs assessment, the council can give the person you care for money to arrange their own support instead of receiving council-arranged services.

A close family member living in the same household is generally excluded from being paid to provide that care. The council can only agree where it considers doing so "necessary" — an exceptional-circumstances test. Personal preference alone does not meet it if a suitable alternative arrangement is available.

A family member who does not live in the same household can generally be paid without that restriction.

How to apply

  1. 1. Request a care needs assessment from your local council's adult social care team for the person you care for.
  2. 2. Ask specifically about receiving support as a Direct Payment.
  3. 3. If a same-household family member would be the carer, raise it early and ask what evidence the council needs to consider it necessary.
  4. 4. Separately, apply for Carer's Allowance in your own name if you qualify.

Official sources

Keeping this organised

Whichever route applies, councils and the DWP both ask for the same things: hours of care, dates, expenses, and who did what. Keeping a running record as you go makes assessments and reviews far less stressful. FeatherKeep organises your care documentation and expenses automatically.

See what else you may qualify for
General information only, not legal, benefits, or financial advice. Rates shown are 2026/27 figures and are uprated annually — reconfirm current amounts at GOV.UK or with your local council before making decisions.