Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992

70 [F1 Carer’s allowance]. E+W

(1) A person shall be entitled to [F2 a carer’s allowance] for any day on which he is engaged in caring for a severely disabled person if—

(a) he is regularly and substantially engaged in caring for that person;

(b) he is not gainfully employed; and

(c) the severely disabled person is either such relative of his as may be prescribed or a person of any such other description as may be prescribed.

[F3 (1A) A person who was entitled to an allowance under this section immediately before the death of the severely disabled person referred to in subsection (1) shall continue to be entitled to it, even though he is no longer engaged in caring for a severely disabled person (and the requirements of subsection (1)(a) and (c) are not satisfied), until—

(a) the end of the week in which he ceases to satisfy any other requirement as to entitlement to the allowance; or

(b) the expiry of the period of eight weeks beginning with the Sunday following the death (or beginning with the date of death if the death occurred on Sunday),

whichever occurs first.]

(2) In this section, “severely disabled person” means a person in respect of whom there is payable either an attendance allowance or a disability living allowance by virtue of entitlement to the care component at the highest or middle rate [F4 or personal independence payment by virtue of entitlement to the daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate] [F5 or armed forces independence payment under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/517)] [F6 or [F7 adult disability payment by virtue of entitlement to the daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate or child disability payment by virtue of entitlement to the care component at the middle or highest rate]] [F8 or pension age disability payment] or such other payment out of public funds on account of his need for attendance as may be prescribed.

(3) A person shall not be entitled to an allowance under this section if he is under the age of 16 or receiving full-time education.

(4) A person shall not be entitled to an allowance under this section unless he satisfies prescribed conditions as to residence or presence in Great Britain.

[F9 (4A) A person to whom either Regulation (EC) No 1408/71 or Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 applies shall not be entitled to an allowance under this section for a period unless during that period the United Kingdom is competent for payment of sickness benefits in cash to the person for the purposes of Chapter 1 of Title III of the Regulation in question.]

F10 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F10 (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F11 (7) No person shall be entitled for the same day to—

(a) more than one allowance under this section; or

(b) both an allowance under this section and carer support payment.

(7ZA) Where, apart from this subsection, two or more persons would have a relevant entitlement for the same day in respect of the same severely disabled person, one of them only shall have that entitlement and that shall be such one of them—

(a) as they may jointly elect in the prescribed manner; or

(b) as may, in default of such an election, be determined by the Secretary of State in the Secretary of State’s discretion.

(7ZB) Subsection (7ZC) applies where a person (A)—

(a) (disregarding the effect of regulation 5(3) of the Carer’s Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023) has, or would have, an entitlement to carer support payment; or

(b) has, or would have, an entitlement to carer’s allowance in respect of which the Scottish Ministers have the power to make decisions,

for a day in respect of a severely disabled person.

(7ZC) Another person (B) shall not have a relevant entitlement for the same day in respect of the same severely disabled person unless—

(a) A and B jointly elect in the prescribed manner that B shall have the relevant entitlement (and that A shall not have an entitlement mentioned in subsection (7ZB)) for that day in respect of that severely disabled person; or

(b) in default of such an election, the Secretary of State is satisfied, following consultation with the Scottish Ministers, that—

(i) the Scottish Ministers have decided, or will decide, that A shall not have an entitlement mentioned in subsection (7ZB); and

(ii) B shall have the relevant entitlement,

for that day in respect of that severely disabled person.]

[F12 (7A) For the purposes of [F13 subsections (7ZA) and (7ZC)] a person has a “relevant entitlement” if—

(a) the person is entitled to a carer’s allowance [F14 in respect of which the Secretary of State has the power to make decisions] , or

(b) the person is entitled under section 12 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 to the inclusion in an award of universal credit of an amount in respect of the fact that the person has regular and substantial caring responsibilities for a severely disabled person.]

[F15 (7B) In subsections (7) and (7ZB), “carer support payment” means carer’s assistance given in accordance with the Carer’s Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023.]

(8) Regulations may prescribe the circumstances in which a person is or is not to be treated for the purposes of this section as engaged, or regularly and substantially engaged, in caring for a severely disabled person, as gainfully employed or as receiving full-time education.

(9) [F16 A carer’s allowance] shall be payable at the weekly rate specified in Schedule 4, Part III, paragraph 4.

F17 (10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Extent Information

E1 This version of this provision extends to England and Wales only; a separate version has been created for Scotland only

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 70 (and cross-heading) substituted (1.9.2002 for specified purposes, 1.4.2003 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Regulatory Reform (Carers Allowance) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1457), art. 1(1)(b), 2(1)

F2 Words in s. 70(1) substituted (1.9.2002 for specified purposes, 1.4.2003 in so far as not already in force) by The Regulatory Reform (Carers Allowance) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1457), arts. 1(1)(b), 2(2), Sch. para. 2(c)

F3 S. 70(1A) inserted (28.10.2002) by The Regulatory Reform (Carers Allowance) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1457), arts. 1(1)(a), 3(1)

F4 Words in s. 70(2) inserted (8.4.2013) by The Personal Independence Payment (Supplementary Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/388), reg. 2, Sch. para. 5

F5 Words in s. 70(2) inserted (8.4.2013) by The Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) (Consequential Provisions: Primary Legislation) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/796), arts. 1, 3(2)

F6 Words in s. 70(2) inserted (E.W.) (17.11.2021) by The Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 (Disability Assistance for Children and Young People) (Consequential Modifications) (No. 2) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1301), arts. 1(2), 2(2)

F7 Words in s. 70(2) substituted (E.W.) (21.3.2022) by The Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 (Disability Assistance and Information-Sharing) (Consequential Provision and Modifications) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/332), arts. 1(2), 13(2)

F8 Words in s. 70(2) inserted (E.W.) (21.10.2024) by The Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 (Disability Assistance) (Consequential Modifications) Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/1048), arts. 1(2), 4

F9 S. 70(4A) inserted (31.10.2011) by The Social Security (Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Carers Allowance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/2426), reg. 5(3)

F10 S. 70(5)(6) repealed (28.10.2002) by The Regulatory Reform (Carers Allowance) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1457), arts. 1(1)(a), 3(2) (with art. 4)

F11 S. 70(7)-(7ZC) substituted for s. 70(7) (E.W.) (16.11.2023) by The Carer’s Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1214), arts. 1(2), 2(2)(a)

F12 S. 70(7A) inserted (3.11.2015 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by The Universal Credit and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1754), regs. 1(1), 11(3)

F13 Words in s. 70(7A) substituted (E.W.) (16.11.2023) by The Carer’s Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1214), regs. 1(2), 2(2)(b)

F14 Words in s. 70(7A)(a) inserted (E.W.) (16.11.2023) by The Carer’s Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1214), regs. 1(2), 2(2)(c)

F15 S. 70(7B) inserted (E.W.) (16.11.2023) by The Carer’s Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1214), regs. 1(2), 2(2)(d)

F16 Words in s. 70(9) substituted (1.9.2002 for specified purposes, 1.4.2003 in so far as not already in force) by The Regulatory Reform (Carers Allowance) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1457), arts. 1(1)(b), 2(2), Sch. para. 2(c)

F17 S. 70(10) omitted (28.10.1994) by virtue of The Social Security (Severe Disablement Allowance and Invalid Care Allowance) Amendment Regulations 1994 (S.I. 1994/2556), reg. 2(3)(c)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 S. 70(7ZB)(7ZC) modified (E.W.) (19.11.2023) by The Social Security (Invalid Care Allowance) Regulations 1976 (S.I. 1976/409), reg. 7(1C) (as inserted by S.I. 2023/1218, arts. 1(2), 2(4))

70 [F18 Carer’s allowance]. S

(1) A person shall be entitled to [F19 a carer’s allowance] for any day on which he is engaged in caring for a severely disabled person if—

(a) he is regularly and substantially engaged in caring for that person;

(b) he is not gainfully employed; and

(c) the severely disabled person is either such relative of his as may be prescribed or a person of any such other description as may be prescribed.

[F20 (1A) A person who was entitled to an allowance under this section immediately before the death of the severely disabled person referred to in subsection (1) shall continue to be entitled to it, even though he is no longer engaged in caring for a severely disabled person (and the requirements of subsection (1)(a) and (c) are not satisfied), until—

(a) the end of the week in which he ceases to satisfy any other requirement as to entitlement to the allowance; or

(b) the expiry of the period of eight weeks beginning with the Sunday following the death (or beginning with the date of death if the death occurred on Sunday),

whichever occurs first.]

(2) In this section, “severely disabled person” means a person in respect of whom there is payable either an attendance allowance or a disability living allowance by virtue of entitlement to the care component at the highest or middle rate [F21 or personal independence payment by virtue of entitlement to the daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate] [F22 or [F23 adult disability payment by virtue of entitlement to the daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate or child disability payment by virtue of entitlement to the care component at the middle or highest rate]] [F24 or pension age disability payment] [F25 or armed forces independence payment under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/517)] or such other payment out of public funds on account of his need for attendance as may be prescribed.

(3) A person shall not be entitled to an allowance under this section if he is under the age of 16 or receiving full-time education.

(4) A person shall not be entitled to an allowance under this section unless he satisfies prescribed conditions as to residence or presence in Great Britain.

[F26 (4A) A person to whom either Regulation (EC) No 1408/71 or Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 applies shall not be entitled to an allowance under this section for a period unless during that period the United Kingdom is competent for payment of sickness benefits in cash to the person for the purposes of Chapter 1 of Title III of the Regulation in question.]

F27 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F27 (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F28 (7) No person shall be entitled for the same day to—

(a) more than one allowance under this section; or

(b) both an allowance under this section and carer support payment.

(7ZA) Where, apart from this subsection, two or more persons would have an entitlement to carer’s allowance for the same day in respect of the same severely disabled person, one of them only shall have that entitlement and that shall be such one of them—

(a) as they may jointly elect in the prescribed manner; or

(b) as may, in default of such an election, be determined by the Scottish Ministers.

(7ZB) Subsection (7ZC) applies where a person (A)—

(a) (disregarding the effect of regulation 5(3) of the Carer’s Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023) has, or would have, an entitlement to carer support payment; or

(b) has, or would have, an entitlement to carer’s allowance in respect of which the Secretary of State has the power to make decisions,

for a day in respect of a severely disabled person.

(7ZC) Another person (B) shall not have an entitlement to carer’s allowance for the same day in respect of the same severely disabled person unless—

(a) A and B jointly elect in the prescribed manner that B shall have an entitlement to carer’s allowance (and that A shall not have an entitlement mentioned in subsection (7ZB)) for that day in respect of that severely disabled person; or

(b) in default of such an election, the Scottish Ministers are satisfied—

(i) that either—

(aa) A shall not have an entitlement mentioned in subsection (7ZB)(a); or

(bb) the Secretary of State has decided, or will decide, that A shall not have an entitlement mentioned in subsection (7ZB)(b); and

(ii) that B shall have an entitlement to carer’s allowance,

for that day in respect of that severely disabled person.

(7ZD) Subsection (7ZE) applies where (but for regulation 29 of the Universal Credit Regulations 2013 preventing entitlement by different persons to the carer element and to carer’s allowance) a person (A) has, or would have, an entitlement to universal credit carer element for a day in respect of a severely disabled person.

(7ZE) Another person (B) shall not have an entitlement to carer’s allowance for the same day in respect of the same severely disabled person unless—

(a) A and B jointly elect in the prescribed manner that B shall have an entitlement to carer’s allowance (and that A shall not have an entitlement to universal credit carer element) for that day in respect of that severely disabled person; or

(b) in default of such an election, the Scottish Ministers are satisfied that—

(i) the Secretary of State has decided, or will decide, that A shall not have an entitlement to universal credit carer element; and

(ii) B shall have an entitlement to carer’s allowance,

for that day in respect of that severely disabled person.]

[F29 [F30 (7A) For the purposes of subsections (7ZD) and (7ZE), “universal credit carer element” means the inclusion in an award of universal credit of an amount in respect of the fact that the person has regular and substantial caring responsibilities for a severely disabled person under section 12 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012.]

[F31 (7B) In subsections (7) and (7ZB), “carer support payment” means carer’s assistance given in accordance with the Carer’s Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023.]

(8) Regulations may prescribe the circumstances in which a person is or is not to be treated for the purposes of this section as engaged, or regularly and substantially engaged, in caring for a severely disabled person, as gainfully employed or as receiving full-time education.

(9) [F32 A carer’s allowance] shall be payable at the weekly rate specified in Schedule 4, Part III, paragraph 4.

F33 (10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Extent Information

E2 This version of this provision extends to Scotland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales only

Textual Amendments

F18 Words in s. 70 (and cross-heading) substituted (1.9.2002 for specified purposes, 1.4.2003 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Regulatory Reform (Carers Allowance) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1457), art. 1(1)(b), 2(1)

F19 Words in s. 70(1) substituted (1.9.2002 for specified purposes, 1.4.2003 in so far as not already in force) by The Regulatory Reform (Carers Allowance) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1457), arts. 1(1)(b), 2(2), Sch. para. 2(c)

F20 S. 70(1A) inserted (28.10.2002) by The Regulatory Reform (Carers Allowance) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1457), arts. 1(1)(a), 3(1)

F21 Words in s. 70(2) inserted (8.4.2013) by The Personal Independence Payment (Supplementary Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/388), reg. 2, Sch. para. 5

F22 Words in s. 70(2) inserted (S.) (26.7.2021) by The Disability Assistance for Children and Young People (Scotland) Regulations 2021 (S.S.I. 2021/174), reg. 1, sch. para. 15(2)

F23 Words in s. 70(2) substituted (S.) (21.3.2022) by The Disability Assistance for Working Age People (Scotland) Regulations 2022 (S.S.I. 2022/54), reg. 1, Sch. 2 para. 16(4)

F24 Words in s. 70(2) inserted (S.) (21.10.2024) by The Disability Assistance for Older People (Scotland) Regulations 2024 (S.S.I. 2024/166), reg. 1(2), sch. para. 14(2)

F25 Words in s. 70(2) inserted (8.4.2013) by The Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) (Consequential Provisions: Primary Legislation) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/796), arts. 1, 3(2)

F26 S. 70(4A) inserted (31.10.2011) by The Social Security (Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Carers Allowance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/2426), reg. 5(3)

F27 S. 70(5)(6) repealed (28.10.2002) by The Regulatory Reform (Carers Allowance) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1457), arts. 1(1)(a), 3(2) (with art. 4)

F28 S. 70(7)-(7ZE) substituted for s. 70(7) (S.) (16.11.2023) by The Carer’s Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1214), arts. 1(2), 3(2)(a)

F29 S. 70(7A) substituted (S.) (16.11.2023) by The Carer’s Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1214), arts. 1(2), 3(2)(b)

F30 S. 70(7A) inserted (3.11.2015 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by The Universal Credit and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1754), regs. 1(1), 11(3)

F31 S. 70(7B) inserted (S.) (16.11.2023) by The Carer’s Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1214), arts. 1(2), 3(2)(c)

F32 Words in s. 70(9) substituted (1.9.2002 for specified purposes, 1.4.2003 in so far as not already in force) by The Regulatory Reform (Carers Allowance) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1457), arts. 1(1)(b), 2(2), Sch. para. 2(c)

F33 S. 70(10) omitted (28.10.1994) by virtue of The Social Security (Severe Disablement Allowance and Invalid Care Allowance) Amendment Regulations 1994 (S.I. 1994/2556), reg. 2(3)(c)