Regulation 4(2) of the Invalid Care Allowance regulations allows carers to take a break of up to four weeks in any twenty six week period.
A further break of up to 12 in any twenty six week period weeks is allowed if the carer or the person being cared for should go into hospital or "similar institution"
However, Carers' Allowance may cease to be paid sooner if the person being cared for is in hospital for more than 28 days- this is when their Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance will stop.
New carers will need to be providing care for a continuous period of 22 weeks before they are able to take a "paid" break.
Disability Alliance makes the point that, as Carers' Allowance hours are counted from Sunday to Saturday, it is possible to arrange a week's break to take place from mid-week to mid-week without having to count either week as a week off.
