Carer's Allowance 2026/27
| Weekly rate | £86.45 |
| A year | £4,495.40 |
| Earnings limit (after deductions) | £204 a week |
| Hours of caring needed | At least 35 a week |
In Scotland, Carer's Allowance has been replaced by Carer Support Payment from Social Security Scotland. It's paid at the same rate with the same earnings limit, and students can qualify in more cases.
Who can get it
- You care for someone for at least 35 hours a week. It doesn't have to be in one go, and it can include time spent shopping, cooking or helping with appointments for them.
- The person you care for gets a qualifying benefit: PIP daily living component, DLA middle or highest rate care, Attendance Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance, Armed Forces Independence Payment, or the Scottish equivalents such as Adult Disability Payment.
- You're 16 or over, not in full-time education (21 hours or more a week of supervised study), and you live in England, Wales or Scotland.
- Your earnings after deductions are £204 a week or less.
You don't have to be related to the person or live with them. Only one person can get Carer's Allowance for the same person cared for.
How the earnings limit works
The DWP doesn't use your gross pay. It takes off:
- Income tax and National Insurance
- Half of what you pay into a pension
- Money you pay someone (not a close relative) to look after the person you care for, or a child under 16, while you're at work. This can be up to half of what's left after steps 1 and 2.
Self-employed carers use their profit after allowable business expenses. If your hours change week to week, the DWP may average your earnings over a period.
Worked example
You earn £230 a week before tax. You pay no tax or NI at that level, and you pay £20 a week into a workplace pension.
- Half your pension contribution is £10, so your counted earnings are £230 − £10 = £220.
- That's £16 over the £204 limit, so you couldn't get Carer's Allowance that week.
- If you paid £40 a week into your pension instead, your counted earnings would be £210. If you also paid a carer £20 a week while you work, they'd drop to £190, which is under the limit.
Things to know before claiming
- It can affect the person you care for. If they get a severe disability addition in a means-tested benefit, it may stop when you claim Carer's Allowance. Check with them first.
- Universal Credit: Carer's Allowance is taken off Universal Credit pound for pound, but you get the carer element of £209.34 a month. See the Universal Credit calculator.
- National Insurance credits: claiming gives you Class 1 NI credits, which protect your State Pension. Even if you earn too much, you can still get Carer's Credit.
- Report changes straight away. Going over the earnings limit without telling the DWP can lead to an overpayment you'll have to pay back.
- Check your take-home pay: the take-home pay calculator shows your tax and NI, which you can enter here.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Carer's Allowance in 2026/27?
£86.45 a week from April 2026, which is £4,495.40 a year. It's usually paid every 4 weeks.
What is the Carer's Allowance earnings limit?
£204 a week from 6 April 2026. This is after income tax, National Insurance, half of your pension contributions and some care costs are taken off your earnings.
Can I work and get Carer's Allowance?
Yes, as long as your earnings after the allowed deductions are £204 a week or less and you still care for at least 35 hours a week.
What happens if I earn over £204 a week?
You won't get Carer's Allowance for any week your counted earnings are over the limit, even by a few pence. You must tell the DWP about the change.
Does Carer's Allowance count as income for Universal Credit?
Yes. It's taken off your Universal Credit in full, but you get the carer element of £209.34 a month if you meet the caring conditions.
Last reviewed October 2026 using 2026/27 figures. This is a guide to the rules, not a decision on your claim.