Answers · UK 2025/26

How much is Carer's Allowance in 2026/27?

Carer's Allowance is £81.90 per week in 2026/27. To qualify you must provide at least 35 hours of care per week to someone receiving a qualifying disability benefit, and your net earnings must be under £151 per week. It is taxable income but does not affect means-tested benefits. The overlapping benefit rule means it cannot be paid in full alongside the State Pension.

Last updated: 10 June 2026Last reviewed: 10 June 2026How we verify

Full answer

Carer's Allowance (CA) is paid at £81.90 per week for 2026/27 (approximately £4,258.80 per year). It is a taxable benefit but is not means-tested on savings or capital -- only on your net weekly earnings, which must be below £151 per week after allowable deductions (tax, NI, half of pension contributions, and certain care costs for the person you care for). To qualify: you must be aged 16 or over; spend at least 35 hours per week caring for someone who receives the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (middle or highest care rate), Attendance Allowance, or certain other qualifying benefits; and not be in full-time education (21+ hours per week). The overlapping benefit rule is important: you cannot receive both Carer's Allowance and the full new State Pension (or other overlapping benefits). If your State Pension is equal to or more than the CA rate, you will not receive CA as a payment -- but you retain "underlying entitlement" which can trigger other means-tested benefits such as the Carer Addition in Pension Credit (£45.60/week) or a carer premium in other benefits. If you care for more than one person, you only receive one CA payment. The person you care for does not have to be a relative. You must report earnings changes to the DWP promptly to avoid overpayments. CA also generates Class 1 NI credits if you are below State Pension Age, counting toward your qualifying years for the State Pension (you need 35 years for the full new State Pension of £221.20 per week in 2024/25 terms). If you provide 20-35 hours of care rather than 35+, consider Carer's Credit instead, which protects your NI record without a payment.