Carer's Allowance Calculator UK 2026/27

Carer's Allowance is paid at £86.45 per week in 2026/27. That works out to about £374.62 a month or £4,495.40 a year (£86.45 × 52 weeks). It is paid by the DWP and is treated as taxable income.

You can earn up to £204 per week and still claim Carer's Allowance in 2026/27. This is your weekly earnings after deductions — that is, after income tax, National Insurance, pension contributions and certain care costs are taken off. If your earnings after those deductions go over £204 a week you are not eligible.

You must provide at least 35 hours of care per week to qualify for Carer's Allowance. The person you care for normally has to be receiving a qualifying disability benefit. If you care for fewer than 35 hours a week you cannot claim.

Yes. Carer's Allowance counts as taxable income. It does not have tax deducted at source, but it is added to your other taxable income for the year, so it can affect your overall income tax position if your total income is above your Personal Allowance.

Carer's Allowance and the State Pension are "overlapping benefits". If your State Pension is more than £86.45 per week, you will usually not receive Carer's Allowance payments on top — but you may keep an "underlying entitlement" to Carer's Allowance, which can increase other means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit.

You can claim Carer's Allowance if you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone, your earnings after deductions are £204 a week or less, and the person you look after receives a qualifying disability benefit. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.