Petition · Department of Health and Social Care
Allow full-time students who provide 35+ hours care to receive Carer’s Allowance
Open for signatures
32 signatures
What the petition asks
Amend the eligibility rules for Carer’s Allowance so that people in full-time education who provide at least 35 hours of care per week can receive Carer’s Allowance, provided all other conditions are met.
Many students provide 35 hours or more of unpaid care each week for disabled parents or relatives but are excluded from Carer’s Allowance solely because they are in full-time education. This forces carers to choose between education and financial support, even though the care must still be provided. The rule is outdated and unfairly treats student carers differently from others providing the same level of care. Eligibility should be based on hours of care, not education status.
Timeline
| 17 Feb 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
32
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Department of Health and Social Care
Opened
17 Feb 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.