Where carers agree who should receive support

If it is agreed by both carers that the original carer should receive support, a determination should be made that the second carer is not entitled to Carer Support Payment or Carer Additional Person Payment as part of their Carer Support award and the application would be denied for the second carer.   

If it is agreed by both carers that the second carer should receive support, the original carer’s entitlement can be ended through a determination without application and Carer Support Payment or Carer Additional Person Payment should be awarded to the second eligible carer.

Notes should be added to the original carer’s record to set out that the reason for their award end was due to another carer being entitled and that they had agreed that another carer should receive support. 

The award for the second carer would begin on the first day of the benefit week after entitlement has ended for the first carer. There should be no backdating or overpayment recovery in these cases.

Example

An application for Carer Support is received on 9 June 2026 by Carer 2. Another carer (Carer 1) is already receiving Carer Support Payment included in their Carer Support award for caring for the same person.#

A form is issued to both carers on 10 June 2026. Responses are received on 17 June 2026 and both carers agree Carer 2 should now receive Carer Support Payment. Carer 1 has been paid Carer Support Payment to 20 June 2026. Entitlement for Carer 1 ends on 20 June 2026 and entitlement for carer 2 begins on 21 June 2026.