For most carers this is not a problem. However, at Carers UK we have talked to carers who've had differing advice from official sources re what counts as hours spent caring when the carer is not actually with the person they're looking after. I thought it worth sharing info given to us by the nice people at CAU customer services who have checked this with their decision-makers. Basically, acceptable activities that can be included as caring - without the disabled person's presence required - would be doing the disabled person's washing; ironing; shopping; cooking; paying bills, and running ad hoc errands. The rule of thumb is whether it's an activity done specifically for the disabled person that they themselves would have otherwise done.

If the answer's yes, then it can be counted towards the 35 hours.

We have also advised that if the carer is looking after a disabled person who visits the carer's home regularly, then the time spent preparing for that visit or cleaning up afterwards will also count. By the way, 'disabled person' is CAU's official term for all who get the qualifying benefit so I have resorted to the same short-hand above.