Carer's Allowance and Carer's Credit explained for parents of a child with PURA syndrome

Who can get Carer's Allowance and Carer's Credit in the UK, how they link to your child's DLA or Child Disability Payment, and what's different in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

By PURA Family Directory team · published 2 November 2026

Information only, not medical advice. Every child with PURA syndrome is different. Please talk to your child's own doctors and therapists before making decisions about their care. In an emergency call 999; for urgent advice call NHS 111. Our disclaimer.

Two different things

Carer's Allowance is a weekly payment. Carer's Credit isn't money in your pocket. It's a National Insurance credit that fills gaps in your record, which matters for your State Pension later (GOV.UK: Carer's Credit). Many parents of children with PURA syndrome give up or cut down work, so both are worth understanding.

Carer's Allowance (England and Wales)

GOV.UK says you could get £86.45 a week if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and they get a qualifying benefit (GOV.UK: Carer's Allowance). For a child, the qualifying benefits include Disability Living Allowance at the middle or highest care rate, or Child Disability Payment at the middle or highest care rate (eligibility).

You also need to be 16 or over, not in full-time education, and earning £204 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses. Only one person can claim for the same child. Rates and thresholds change, so always check the current figures on GOV.UK.

You can backdate a claim by up to three months. If your child is under 16 you'll need their DLA reference number (how to claim). So it can make sense to apply soon after the DLA decision arrives. See our guide to applying for DLA.

GOV.UK notes that Carer's Allowance can affect other benefits that you and the person you care for get. Before you claim, it's worth getting free advice from Contact, Carers UK or Citizens Advice, especially if you get Universal Credit or other means-tested help.

Carer's Credit

Carer's Credit is for people under State Pension age who care for at least 20 hours a week. Income and savings don't affect it (GOV.UK: eligibility). You don't need to apply if you already get Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment, or if you get Child Benefit for a child under 12. In those cases the credits are automatic (how to claim).

That means Carer's Credit is mostly useful when your child is 12 or over, or when someone else claims Child Benefit and you're doing the caring. If your child doesn't get a qualifying benefit, a health or social care professional can sign the Care Certificate on the claim form.

Scotland and Northern Ireland

In Scotland, you apply for Carer Support Payment instead of Carer's Allowance. mygov.scot says eligible carers also automatically get the Scottish Carer Supplement, and there's an extra payment for each additional person you care for (mygov.scot). If you move between Scotland and England or Wales, you need to make a new claim.

In Northern Ireland, Carer's Allowance is run by the Department for Communities. See nidirect for its rules.

Questions families ask

Can both parents claim Carer's Allowance for the same child?

No. GOV.UK says only one person can claim Carer's Allowance for the same person. The other parent may still be able to get Carer's Credit if they care for at least 20 hours a week.

Do I have to pay tax on Carer's Allowance?

GOV.UK says you pay tax on it if your total income is over the Personal Allowance.

Can I work and get Carer's Allowance?

Yes, if your earnings are under the weekly limit (£204 after tax, National Insurance and expenses when we checked) and you still care for at least 35 hours a week.

Sources

Checked 1 November 2026. Rules, rates and services change, so always check the latest version.

This article is part of our guide to Benefits, grants & funding. See all benefits & grants listings →