Carers Allowance Contact Number: Official DWP Phone Line

In short: The official carers allowance contact number is 0800 731 0297, for the Carer’s Allowance Unit, open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (as at November 2026). This is the official DWP number. The Care Panel is independent and not affiliated with DWP, and you never need to share any number with us.

The official carers allowance contact number and opening hours

The carers allowance contact number is 0800 731 0297, the Carer’s Allowance Unit general enquiries line, open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, as listed on GOV.UK in November 2026. It is run by the DWP.

GOV.UK describes 0800 numbers as Freephone, and its call charges page lists calls to them as free from both landlines and mobiles. That page notes its figures are approximate.

Use this line to ask about a claim, request a paper claim form, or ask about a change in your circumstances. The online services below may save you waiting on the phone.

Textphone, Relay UK and BSL video relay

If you cannot hear or speak on the phone, GOV.UK lists Relay UK. Dial 18001 and then 0800 731 0297. GOV.UK does not list a separate textphone number for this unit, so Relay UK is the route to use.

British Sign Language users can use the BSL video relay service on a computer. GOV.UK gives the link on its Carer’s Allowance Unit contact page, and also links to a short video showing how to use the service on a mobile phone or tablet. Search GOV.UK for the Carer’s Allowance Unit contact page.

What to have ready before you use the carers allowance contact number

GOV.UK’s contact page does not list what to have ready, but its claim and change pages show what is usually needed.

About you

• Your National Insurance number, and your partner’s if you have one.
• Bank or building society details, unless you receive State Pension.
• Employment details and your latest payslip, if you work.
• Your P45, if you have recently stopped working.

About the person you care for

• Their date of birth and address.
• Their National Insurance number if they are 16 or over, or their Disability Living Allowance reference if they are under 16.

If you are reporting a change, also note exactly what has changed and the date it happened.

Postal address for the Carer’s Allowance Unit

GOV.UK gives the address as Freepost DWP Carers Allowance Unit. Write nothing else on the envelope. You do not need a postcode or a stamp.

You can use this address to send a completed paper claim form (form DS700, which you can download from GOV.UK) or written information about a change. Keep a copy of anything you send.

Claim or report a change without phoning

You can claim online through the Carer’s Allowance service on GOV.UK. A claim can be backdated by up to 3 months. If you prefer paper, download form DS700 or ask the unit to post you one.

You can also report a change online. GOV.UK says this takes around 10 minutes. Changes you must report include starting, changing or leaving a job, earning more than £204 a week after tax, National Insurance and allowable expenses (as stated by GOV.UK, 2026/27), a change of address, providing less than 35 hours of care a week, stopping being a carer, and you or the person you care for going into hospital, a care home or on holiday.

Do not use the change service to report a death. GOV.UK directs people to Tell Us Once for that. For how the earnings limit works, see our guide to the Carer’s Allowance earnings limit. For a full overview, see the Carer’s Allowance guide.

Overpayments and the DWP reassessment

GOV.UK says DWP is reassessing Carer’s Allowance overpayments made between 10 April 2015 and 2 September 2025. If you are affected, you may get a refund, or your debt may be reduced or cancelled.

GOV.UK states you do not need to contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit about the reassessment. DWP will contact you with a decision or if it needs more information. If you have received a letter and are unsure what to do, a benefits adviser, such as one at Carers UK or a local Citizens Advice, can explain your options.

Reporting changes promptly is the best way to avoid new overpayments. Carer’s Allowance also gives you National Insurance credits for each week you receive it, which you can read about in our Carers Credit guide.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

The carers allowance contact number above is for England and Wales. In Scotland, people apply for Carer Support Payment through Social Security Scotland instead of Carer’s Allowance, and should use that agency’s contact details. Northern Ireland has its own route for reporting changes, so check the links on the GOV.UK change page or nidirect.

If you move between Scotland and England or Wales, you need to tell DWP and may need a new claim. GOV.UK says to apply for Carer’s Allowance as soon as you move from Scotland to England or Wales.

This is the official DWP number, and you never need to share it with us

The carers allowance contact number, 0800 731 0297, is the official DWP number. The Care Panel is an independent guide and directory. We are not affiliated with DWP, we do not take claims, and we cannot see or change your benefit.

You never need to share any phone number, National Insurance number or bank detail with The Care Panel to claim Carer’s Allowance. If anyone contacts you claiming to be from the unit and asks for payment, be cautious and phone the number on GOV.UK to check. If you want support alongside your claim, see our carers assessment guide.

This page is general information, not benefits advice. Contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit or a benefits adviser about your own situation. Figures and contact details were checked on GOV.UK in November 2026 and can change.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Carer’s Allowance phone number?

The Carer’s Allowance Unit general enquiries number is 0800 731 0297, as listed on GOV.UK in November 2026. It is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. GOV.UK describes 0800 numbers as Freephone, with calls free from landlines and mobiles.

Is there a textphone number for Carer’s Allowance?

GOV.UK does not list a separate textphone number. If you cannot hear or speak on the phone, it lists Relay UK. Dial 18001 and then 0800 731 0297. A BSL video relay service is also available on a computer, with a link on GOV.UK.

What is the postal address for the Carer’s Allowance Unit?

GOV.UK gives the address as Freepost DWP Carers Allowance Unit. Write nothing else on the envelope. You do not need a postcode or a stamp. Keep a copy of anything you send and note the date you posted it.

Can I claim Carer’s Allowance without phoning?

Yes. You can claim online through the Carer’s Allowance service on GOV.UK, and a claim can be backdated by up to 3 months. You can also download form DS700 and post it, or ask the unit to send you a paper form.

How do I report a change in my circumstances?

You can report a change online through the Carer’s Allowance service, which GOV.UK says takes around 10 minutes, or contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit by phone or post. Have your National Insurance number and the details of the person you care for ready.

Do I need to contact DWP about the overpayment reassessment?

No. GOV.UK says you do not need to contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit about the reassessment of overpayments made between 10 April 2015 and 2 September 2025. DWP will contact you with a decision or if it needs more information.

Is The Care Panel connected to DWP?

No. The Care Panel is an independent guide and directory and is not affiliated with DWP. We do not handle claims, and you never need to share any phone number or personal detail with us to claim Carer’s Allowance.

Official sources

• GOV.UK: Carer’s Allowance Unit contact
• GOV.UK: Carer’s Allowance, how to claim
• GOV.UK: Report a change to Carer’s Allowance
• GOV.UK: Carer’s Allowance, after you claim
• GOV.UK: Call charges

This page is general information, not legal, medical or financial advice. The Care Panel is an independent guide and is not part of any government body or care provider. Last checked 9 November 2026.

Related: Carer’s Allowance guide · Carers Credit explained · Carers grants and breaks

Reviewed by The Care Panel team on 9 November 2026. This guide is general information about care in England, not legal, medical or financial advice. Rules and rates change; check with your council or an adviser before making decisions.