Carer's Allowance 2026/27

Carer's Allowance is the main benefit for people who provide regular and substantial care to someone with a disability or health condition. To qualify, you must spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who receives a qualifying disability benefit such as the daily living component of PIP at either rate, Attendance Allowance, or the middle or highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance.

The current rate of Carer's Allowance is £86.45 per week. It is taxable, meaning it counts as income for income tax purposes, although many carers earn below the personal allowance and therefore do not pay any tax on it. There is also an earnings limit — if you earn more than £204 per week (after deductions for tax, NI, and certain expenses), you cannot receive Carer's Allowance.

Importantly, Carer's Allowance interacts with other benefits. If you receive other income-replacement benefits such as State Pension or Contributory ESA, Carer's Allowance may not be paid on top but you will get an underlying entitlement. This underlying entitlement can give you a carer premium or carer element in means-tested benefits like Universal Credit (worth £209.34 per month), even if the Carer's Allowance itself is not paid.