Carer’s Allowance Contact Number: UK & Ireland Helplines

If you’re caring for someone and need to sort out your Carer’s Allowance—whether in the UK or Ireland—tracking down the right contact number can feel like a chore you don’t have time for. This guide brings together the official phone numbers, email routes, postal addresses, and opening hours for both countries, so you can get straight to the right person without calling a dead end.

UK Carer’s Allowance weekly rate (2024/25): £81.90 ·
Ireland Carer’s Allowance maximum weekly rate (2025): €248 ·
Carer’s Allowance Unit UK phone number: 0800 731 0297

Five key facts across both systems—one pattern: each jurisdiction runs its own contact channels, so getting the right number on the first try means knowing which country’s support you need.

The implication: dialling the right number is straightforward once you identify your jurisdiction, but the postal and email channels are less transparent—especially in Ireland where the official email address isn’t publicly listed.

How do I contact Carer’s Allowance in Ireland?

Phone number for Carer’s Allowance Ireland

• The main number is 0818 07 4000—the Citizens Information Phone Service. It’s open Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm. (Citizens Information (Irish citizens advice service))
• You can also call the Department of Social Protection directly on 0818 927999 and select option 5 for Carer’s Allowance.
• For a confidential chat with a support charity, Family Carers Ireland runs a National Freephone Careline on 1800 24 07 24. (Family Carers Ireland (Irish carers charity))

Email and postal address

• Email: There’s no publicly listed email address for Carer’s Allowance Ireland. Use the online enquiry form on gov.ie instead.
• Postal address: Department of Social Protection, Carer’s Allowance Section, College Road, Sligo, Ireland.
• Online: You can apply and track claims via MyWelfare.ie (Irish social welfare portal).

Opening hours

• The Citizens Information Phone Service (0818 07 4000) is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm.
• DSP lo-call (0818 927999) hours typically align with standard business hours, but specific times are not published for each option.
• Local Intreo centres (including Longford) have varying hours—it’s best to call ahead.

The pattern: Ireland offers generous phone hours but masks its email contact, pushing users toward online forms or postal post. For anyone calling from abroad, the 0818 prefix is a local-rate number.

What is the 0800 number for carer support?

UK Carer’s Allowance Unit contact details

• The Carer’s Allowance Unit telephone number is 0800 731 0297. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. (GOV.UK)
• The postal address for paper forms and correspondence is: Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton, WV98 2AB.
• There’s no published email address—use the online portal via GOV.UK.
• Carers UK also lists a helpline: 0808 808 7777 (confidential advice, Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm). (Carers UK (UK carers charity))
• Age UK repeats the 0800 731 0297 number and offers its Advice Line on 0800 678 1602 (open 8am–7pm, 365 days). (Age UK (UK older people’s charity))

Relay UK and BSL options

• For people with hearing or speech difficulties, use Relay UK: dial 18001 then 0800 731 0297. (GOV.UK (Relay instructions))
• British Sign Language (BSL) users can access a video relay service via the GOV.UK website.
• In Northern Ireland, the Disability and Carers Service number is 0800 587 0912 (Relay UK: 18001 + same number). (nidirect)

Why this matters: the UK system centralises contact through the Carer’s Allowance Unit, but the Relay and BSL options ensure accessibility. Northern Ireland residents must use the separate 0800 587 0912 number—dialling the 0800 731 0297 line will cause delays.

How much is a full Carer’s Allowance per week?

Current rates for UK and Ireland

• UK (2024/25): The full Carer’s Allowance rate is £81.90 per week. (GOV.UK (Carer’s Allowance rates))
• Ireland (2025): The maximum Carer’s Allowance rate is €248 per week. (Citizens Information (Irish social welfare rates))

Eligibility conditions for full rate

• UK: You must care for someone at least 35 hours a week and earn no more than £151 per week (after deductions like pension contributions). The rate may be reduced if you earn over £139.
• Ireland: A means test applies—your total household income affects how much you receive. The €248 maximum is paid to those on low incomes providing full-time care.
• In both countries, you don’t need to be related to the person you care for, but you must live in the jurisdiction and have a valid PPS number (Ireland) or National Insurance number (UK).

The pattern: both countries advertise a headline rate, but the real amount depends on your income. The UK’s earnings disregard is relatively low (£151/week), which can leave part-time workers with a reduced allowance or nothing at all.

Steps to contact or apply for Carer’s Allowance

1. Prepare your documents. Have your PPS number (Ireland) or National Insurance number (UK), details of the person you care for, bank account details, and income information ready.
2. Apply online (fastest route). Use the official portals: MyWelfare.ie for Ireland or gov.uk/carers-allowance for the UK. You’ll need a verified MyGovID (Ireland) or GOV.UK One Login (UK).
3. Call if you need help. Dial the relevant helpline: UK 0800 731 0297 (Mon–Fri, 8am–6pm) or Ireland 0818 07 4000 (Mon–Fri, 9am–8pm). For Northern Ireland, call 0800 587 0912.
4. Calling from abroad. Use international numbers: +44 800 731 0297 (UK) or +353 818 07 4000 (Ireland). Check with your provider for charges; online application avoids costs.

The trade-off: online applications are faster and avoid phone queues, but if you need help with the form or have complex circumstances, calling is safer. For international callers, online application is strongly recommended to avoid high call charges.

What’s clear and what’s unclear about Carer’s Allowance contacts

These confirmed facts provide a reliable starting point for carers, while the unknowns highlight areas where direct contact with agencies may be needed.

Key quotes from official sources

“You can contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit for help and advice about Carer’s Allowance. The service helps people who look after someone who is ill or disabled.”

— GOV.UK – Carer’s Allowance Unit (GOV.UK (UK government social welfare body))

“The Citizens Information Phone Service provides information on social welfare, including Carer’s Allowance. Call 0818 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm.”

— Citizens Information website (Citizens Information (Irish citizens advice service))

“If you have a hearing or speech difficulty, you can use Relay UK to contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit: dial 18001 then 0800 731 0297.”

— GOV.UK – Carer’s Allowance Unit relay instructions (GOV.UK (UK government social welfare body))

“Family Carers Ireland’s National Freephone Careline is a confidential, friendly, and supportive service for family carers—call 1800 24 07 24.”

— Family Carers Ireland (Family Carers Ireland (Irish carers charity))

For carers in either jurisdiction, the choice of contact channel is clear: use the online portal for speed and paperless tracking, or call the dedicated helpline if you need real-time help with your application. For anyone calling from outside the UK or Ireland, the online route avoids international call charges—and that’s a real-world saving.

Frequently asked questions

These answers cover the most common queries, but for specific cases, direct contact with the relevant agency is recommended to get personal guidance.