Carer’s Allowance is the main benefit for people who provide regular and substantial care for a disabled person. It’s worth £81.90 a week in 2026/27 and can trigger additional support through other benefits.
What is Carer’s Allowance?
Key Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Weekly amount | £81.90 |
| Who it’s for | Unpaid carers aged 16+ |
| Hours required | At least 35 hours per week caring |
| Earnings limit | £151/week net after allowable deductions |
| Taxable | Yes (but often below tax threshold) |
| Means-tested | No |
What Triggers Eligibility
The person you care for must already receive one of these qualifying benefits:
| Qualifying Benefit | Rate Required |
|---|---|
| Personal Independence Payment (PIP) | Daily Living component (either rate) |
| Disability Living Allowance (DLA) | Middle or highest care rate |
| Attendance Allowance | Either rate |
| Constant Attendance Allowance | Normal maximum rate or above |
| Armed Forces Independence Payment | Any rate |
| Child Disability Payment (Scotland) | Middle or highest care rate |
| Adult Disability Payment (Scotland) | Daily Living component |
Eligibility Requirements
Who Can Claim
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 16 or over |
| Residency | Live in England, Scotland, or Wales |
| Care hours | 35+ hours per week for one person |
| Earnings | No more than £151/week (net) |
| Education | Not in full-time education (21+ hours/week) |
| Immigration | Must have right to reside and habitual residence |
Who Cannot Claim
- People in full-time education (21+ hours per week of supervised study)
- Those earning above £151/week net after deductions
- People subject to immigration control (with some exceptions)
- Those already getting income equal to or more than Carer’s Allowance from certain other benefits
Earnings Rules
The £151/week earnings limit applies to net earnings after these deductions:
| Deduction | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Income tax | Deducted from gross pay |
| National Insurance | Employee contributions deducted |
| Half of pension contributions | 50% of what you pay into a pension |
| Allowable expenses | Costs of care for the person you care for while you work |
Self-employed: The same net earnings limit applies. HMRC can also deduct business expenses.
How Much You Get
Weekly and Annual Amounts
| Period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Per week | £81.90 |
| Per four weeks | £327.60 |
| Per year (approx) | £4,258.80 |
Additional Benefits You May Get
Carer’s Allowance can unlock extra support elsewhere:
| Benefit | Extra Amount | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Universal Credit Carer Element | £198.31/month | Claim UC + entitled to CA |
| Pension Credit Carer Addition | £45.60/week | Claim PC + entitled to CA |
| Council Tax Reduction | Varies | Local authority — tell them |
| Housing Benefit Carer Premium | £45.60/week | If on legacy benefits |
Important: If you’re on Universal Credit, your UC is reduced pound-for-pound by Carer’s Allowance. But the Carer Element (£198.31/month) is usually worth more than CA itself. Always calculate the net effect before claiming.
What Counts as Caring?
Activities That Count
Caring includes help with:
- Personal care (washing, dressing, toileting)
- Preparing food and drink
- Getting in and out of bed
- Taking medication
- Communication (interpreting, prompting)
- Supervision to keep the person safe
- Accompanying the person to appointments
The 35-Hour Rule
You must provide at least 35 hours of care per week to one person. You cannot combine hours caring for different people to reach 35.
Breaks: You can have breaks from caring. If you average 35 hours over a period, short breaks don’t automatically stop your payment.
How Carer’s Allowance Affects Other Benefits
If You’re on Universal Credit
| Item | Effect |
|---|---|
| CA payment | UC reduced by £81.90/week |
| Carer Element added | +£198.31/month |
| Net effect | Usually a gain of ~£50–£60/month |
If You’re on Pension Credit
You get the Carer Addition of £45.60/week on top of your Pension Credit.
If You’re on Legacy Benefits (e.g., Income Support, ESA)
You receive the Carer Premium of £45.60/week added to your benefit.
Effect on the Person You Care For
If the person you care for receives Severe Disability Premium (as part of Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, ESA or Income Support), your Carer’s Allowance claim — or underlying entitlement — can remove that premium. This could leave them financially worse off. Always check before claiming.
State Pension and Carer’s Allowance
The Overlapping Benefits Rule
You cannot be paid both Carer’s Allowance and State Pension at the same time if your pension is equal to or more than £81.90/week (the current CA rate).
However, you can still have an underlying entitlement to Carer’s Allowance, which means:
- You qualify for the Carer Element (Universal Credit)
- You qualify for the Carer Addition (Pension Credit)
- You qualify for the Carer Premium (legacy benefits)
You should still apply even if you think your pension will cancel it out — the underlying entitlement has real value.
National Insurance Credits
Carer’s Allowance gives you Class 1 National Insurance credits, which count towards your State Pension. If you’re under State Pension age and not working, this is valuable.
How to Claim
Online
- Go to gov.uk/carers-allowance
- Use the online claim form
- You’ll need: your NI number, bank details, details of the person you care for and their benefit reference number
By Phone or Post
- Phone: 0800 731 0297 (free)
- Post: Download the DS700 form from gov.uk
What You’ll Need
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Your NI number | On payslip, P60, or HMRC letter |
| Bank details | For payment |
| Care recipient’s details | Name, address, date of birth, NI number |
| Their benefit reference | The reference on their award letter |
| Your employment details | Employer name, earnings |
| Care hours | Rough description of 35 hours/week |
When Carer’s Allowance Is Paid
Payments are made every four weeks in arrears, directly to your bank account.
If You’re Refused
Common Reasons for Refusal
| Reason | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Earnings over limit | Check if deductions bring you below; adjust pension contributions |
| In full-time education | Part-time study (under 21 hours) is allowed |
| Person’s benefit doesn’t qualify | Check qualifying benefit list; appeal if wrong |
| Residency issue | Seek advice from Citizens Advice |
How to Appeal
- Ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration within 1 month of the decision
- If refused again, appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal
- Get help from Citizens Advice or a welfare rights service
Breaks from Caring
Short Breaks
You can take short breaks without stopping your Carer’s Allowance:
| Break Type | Amount Allowed |
|---|---|
| Personal breaks | Up to 4 weeks in any 6-month period |
| Cared-for person in hospital/respite | Up to 12 weeks in any 26 weeks |
If Caring Ends
Tell the DWP immediately if you stop caring or the person’s qualifying benefit ends. Overpayments must be repaid.
Carer’s Allowance and Work
Can You Work and Claim?
Yes — as long as your net earnings don’t exceed £151/week. Many part-time workers claim Carer’s Allowance.
Maximising Your Earnings
Legal ways to stay below the limit:
- Contribute more to a workplace pension (50% of contributions are deducted)
- Deduct any work expenses related to caring (e.g., childcare costs)
- Self-employed people can deduct business expenses too
Who to Contact for Help
| Organisation | What They Help With |
|---|---|
| Citizens Advice | Free, local advice and help claiming |
| Carers UK | Specialist support for carers (0808 808 7777) |
| Carer’s Allowance Unit | DWP: 0800 731 0297 |
| Turn2Us | Benefits calculator and grants finder |
Key Dates and Deadlines
| Event | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Mandatory Reconsideration | 1 month from decision |
| Backdating claim | Up to 3 months |
| Reporting change of circumstances | As soon as possible |
Quick Reference
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Weekly rate 2026/27 | £81.90 |
| Minimum care hours | 35 per week |
| Earnings limit (net) | £151/week |
| Can you work? | Yes, within earnings limit |
| Taxable? | Yes |
| Means-tested? | No |
| Claim online? | Yes, at gov.uk |