Carer's Allowance Calculator UK 2026/27 — Eligibility & Earnings Threshold
Carer's Allowance is a benefit for people who provide at least 35 hours of unpaid care per week to someone receiving a qualifying disability benefit. The 2026/27 rate is £81.90 per week. Use this checker to see if you qualify and how work affects your entitlement.
2026/27 rate: £81.90/week (£4,258.80/year). Net earnings must not exceed £151/week. Carer's Allowance cannot be paid on top of State Pension if State Pension is higher — but an underlying entitlement still triggers the Carer Premium in other means-tested benefits.
Carer's Allowance 2026/27 — Key Facts
| Detail | 2026/27 figure |
|---|---|
| Weekly rate | £81.90 |
| Annual value | £4,258.80 |
| Earnings threshold (net, per week) | £151 |
| Minimum hours of care required | 35 hours/week |
| Minimum age | 16 |
Qualifying Disability Benefits
The person you care for must receive one of: PIP (daily living component, either rate), DLA (middle or highest rate care component), Attendance Allowance (either rate), Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal maximum rate, Armed Forces Independence Payment, or certain Scottish Disability Benefits equivalents.
The Earnings Threshold
You can work and still receive Carer's Allowance, but your net earnings must not exceed £151 per week (2026/27). Net earnings means gross pay minus: income tax, National Insurance contributions, and 50% of any pension contributions. Certain work-related expenses such as childcare costs and equipment may also be deducted.
Overlap with State Pension
Carer's Allowance cannot be paid on top of State Pension where the State Pension is equal to or higher than Carer's Allowance — this is the "overlapping benefits" rule. However, you can still have an underlying entitlement to Carer's Allowance, which qualifies you for the Carer Premium or Carer Addition within means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit, Universal Credit, and Housing Benefit — often worth more than Carer's Allowance itself.
How to Apply for Carer's Allowance
You can apply online through gov.uk, by post, or by phone, and the process typically takes around eight weeks to be processed, though this can vary during busy periods. You'll need the National Insurance number of both yourself and the person you care for, details of the qualifying disability benefit they receive, information about your earnings if you work, and your bank details for payment. Carer's Allowance can be backdated up to three months from the date of your claim, provided you met the eligibility conditions throughout that backdated period — so it's worth applying even if you've already been providing care for a while, rather than assuming you've missed out.
What Happens When Your Caring Role Ends or Changes
You must report any change in your circumstances to the Carer's Allowance Unit as soon as possible — this includes the person you care for going into hospital or a care home for more than 28 days (after which their qualifying disability benefit, and therefore your Carer's Allowance, may stop), a significant change in your earnings, starting full-time education of 21 hours or more per week, or the caring relationship ending entirely, whether through recovery, a change in care arrangements, or bereavement. Failing to report a relevant change promptly can result in an overpayment that HMRC will later reclaim, sometimes with a penalty attached if the failure to report was considered unreasonable.