Benefits & Support2 min check

Carer's Allowance Eligibility Checker

Quick check of whether you may qualify for Carer's Allowance — a weekly payment for people caring for someone with substantial needs.

Short answer

Carer's Allowance is £86.45/week in 2026/27 if you spend 35+ hours/week caring for someone receiving a qualifying disability benefit. Earnings must be £204/week or less after permitted deductions.

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Calculation method, coverage and version

Inputs used: Do you care for someone 35+ hours per week?, Does the person you care for receive PIP daily living, Attendance Allowance or DLA middle/highest care?, Your weekly earnings after tax, NI & 50% pension contributions, Are you in full-time education (21+ hours/week)?, Are you 16 or over?.
Calculation approach: The calculator applies the rules and assumptions described in “How it works” to the values you enter. Rounding can cause small differences from an official or provider calculation.
Coverage: Benefits & Support. UK nations, tax treatment, local rules and provider criteria can differ; check the official sources shown below before acting.
Content version: No page-specific review date is currently published. Treat the result as indicative and verify current rules independently.

Not included unless explicitly requested: personal circumstances not entered, provider discretion, future rule changes, professional fees and case-specific exceptions. Read the full calculator methodology.

Primary sources and official verification

Use these official sources to verify current rules before acting. Coverage and dates can differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

See the sitewide source policy.

How it works

Carer's Allowance has strict eligibility: 35+ hours of care per week for someone on a qualifying disability benefit, earnings of £204/week or less after permitted deductions, and you cannot be in full-time education.

It is taxable and overlaps with State Pension and most contributory benefits. Underlying entitlement can still increase some means-tested benefits even when no Carer's Allowance is paid.

Worked example

Mark cares for his disabled mother for 40 hours/week and earns £150/week after permitted deductions.

Hours ✓ Qualifying benefit ✓ Earnings within £204 limit ✓
Likely eligible: £86.45/week (£4,495.40/year), plus NI credits

Who should use this

•Family members caring for disabled relatives
•Working carers earning under £196/week
•Adult children caring for elderly parents on Attendance Allowance

Common mistakes

×Assuming earnings means gross — it's net of tax, NI and 50% of pension contributions
×Not realising care can be split — 35 hours must come from one carer
×Forgetting that claiming CA can stop the cared-for person's SDP
×Missing the Carer Element of UC even if CA itself can't be paid

Frequently asked questions

Can two people both claim CA for the same person?▾

No — only one person can claim Carer's Allowance for caring for the same individual.

Does CA affect my State Pension?▾

It overlaps — you cannot normally get both payments in full. If your State Pension is at least £86.45/week, no Carer's Allowance is usually paid, but underlying entitlement may increase other means-tested benefits.

Is Carer's Allowance taxable?▾

Yes, but not subject to NI.

Can I take a break from caring?▾

Yes — up to 4 weeks in any 6-month period without losing CA.

What if I care for more than one person?▾

You can only claim once, but your hours can include the time spent caring for multiple people.

Related calculators

Universal Credit Calculator →Attendance Allowance Checker →PIP Eligibility Checker →Council Tax Reduction Checker →