Yes, you can claim Carer’s Allowance for your partner — being in a relationship with the person you care for does not disqualify you. The DWP assesses Carer’s Allowance based on the care you provide and whether your partner receives a qualifying disability benefit, not on the nature of your relationship.
Carer’s Allowance in 2026/27 is £83.30 per week (£4,331.60/year). Here is what you need to know before you apply.
See our full Carer’s Allowance guide for all the rules in detail.
Eligibility: What You Need to Qualify
To claim Carer’s Allowance for your partner, all of the following must apply:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Your partner’s qualifying benefit | PIP daily living, DLA middle/higher care, Attendance Allowance, AFIP, or Constant Attendance Allowance |
| Hours of care you provide | At least 35 hours per week |
| Your earnings | Net earnings must not exceed £151/week |
| Your age | 16 or over |
| Your education | Not in full-time education (21+ hours per week) |
| Your residency | Habitually resident in England, Scotland, or Wales |
You do not need to be the only carer, but only one person can receive Carer’s Allowance for the same person at the same time.
The Earnings Limit in Detail
The £151/week net earnings threshold is calculated after deducting:
- Income tax and National Insurance you pay
- Half of any private pension contributions you make
- Any expenses wholly and necessarily incurred in doing your job (e.g. professional subscriptions, some childcare costs)
Example: Sarah earns £1,000/month gross from part-time work (£231/week). After deducting tax, NI, and pension contributions, her net earnings are £148/week — just under the £151 limit. She qualifies.
If you are self-employed, the calculation is based on net profit, not turnover.
How Carer’s Allowance Affects Your Partner’s Benefits
This is the most important thing to check before claiming. When you receive Carer’s Allowance:
- Severe disability premium: If your partner receives Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, or legacy benefits with a severe disability premium (approximately £76.40/week), they will lose that premium. The premium is withdrawn when someone is paid Carer’s Allowance for caring for them.
- Carer premium for you: You may gain a carer premium (£45.60/week) within any income-related benefits you receive.
Example of household impact:
| Scenario | Partner’s severe disability premium | Carer’s Allowance received | Net household change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before claiming | +£76.40/week | £0 | — |
| After claiming | £0 (lost) | +£83.30/week | +£6.90/week net |
In this example, the gain is small. Always calculate the net effect on total household income before claiming. Contact Citizens Advice or a benefits adviser for a full entitlement check.
What Carer’s Allowance Doesn’t Affect
Receiving Carer’s Allowance does not affect:
- Your partner’s PIP or DLA (the disability benefit itself is not reduced)
- Your partner’s Attendance Allowance
- Your own Child Benefit
- Your own Personal Independence Payment (if you receive it)
Carer’s Allowance counts as income for tax credits and Universal Credit — if you receive either, it will reduce your award.
Carer’s Allowance and Universal Credit
If you are already receiving Universal Credit, Carer’s Allowance is treated as income under UC — it reduces your UC by 55p for every £1 of Carer’s Allowance. However, you may gain the UC carer element (£198.31/month) if you are not already receiving it.
The UC carer element is worth more than Carer’s Allowance for many claimants. You can receive the UC carer element without claiming Carer’s Allowance — but you must still meet the 35-hours-of-care requirement.
How to Claim Carer’s Allowance
- Check your partner’s qualifying benefit — confirm it is active and at the right level
- Apply online at gov.uk/carers-allowance/how-to-claim, or call 0800 731 0297 to request a paper form
- Notify other benefit providers — tell HMRC (if receiving tax credits) and DWP (UC/Housing Benefit) that you are claiming Carer’s Allowance, as it affects those calculations
- Decisions are typically made within 3–4 weeks
See our guides to Universal Credit and PIP for related information.