Carer's Allowance 2026/27
By Omair SaoLast reviewed — rates for the 2026/27 tax year. See how we check our figures.
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.
Carer's Allowance Rates 2026/27
Eligibility
- You spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone
- The person you care for receives a qualifying disability benefit (PIP daily living, Attendance Allowance, or DLA middle/highest care)
- You are aged 16 or over
- You earn no more than £204 per week (net, after allowable deductions)
- You are not in full-time education (21 hours or more of supervised study per week)
- You live in England or Wales (in Scotland you claim Carer Support Payment from Social Security Scotland instead)
How to Claim
You can claim online at gov.uk/carers-allowance or by calling 0800 731 0297 to request a paper form. Claims can be backdated by up to 3 months.
What Carer's Allowance Adds Up To Over a Year
Rates are published weekly, which makes it easy to underestimate what a claim is worth. The figures below multiply each 2026/27 rate out to a full year, for each component you qualify for.
If Your Claim Is Refused
A refusal, or an award lower than you expected, is not the end of the process. Ask the DWP for a mandatory reconsideration within one month of the date on the decision letter, explaining which part you disagree with and adding any evidence the decision maker did not have. If the reconsideration goes against you, you can appeal to an independent tribunal within one month of the reconsideration notice. The Ministry of Justice's tribunal statistics show that a large share of benefit appeals that reach a hearing are decided in the claimant's favour, so it is worth pursuing, and free help is available from Citizens Advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work and claim Carer's Allowance?
Yes, but your net earnings must not exceed £204 per week after deductions for income tax, National Insurance, pension contributions, and up to 50% of childcare costs. If you earn above this limit in any week, you lose Carer's Allowance for that entire week.
Does Carer's Allowance affect the person I care for?
In most cases, no. The person you care for will continue to receive their disability benefit. However, if the person you care for receives a severe disability premium as part of their means-tested benefits, your claim for Carer's Allowance may cause them to lose that premium. Under Universal Credit, there is no severe disability premium, so this issue does not arise.
Is Carer's Allowance taxable?
Yes, Carer's Allowance is taxable income. However, at £86.45 per week (around £4,495.40 per year), it is well below the personal allowance of £12,570, so you would only pay tax on it if you have other income that takes your total above the personal allowance.
Official Sources
The rates and rules on this page come from the following official publications and were checked on 25 September 2026. Read how we check our figures.
Related Tools
Related Benefits
Universal Credit
A monthly payment to help with living costs if you are on a low income or out of work.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
A benefit to help with extra costs if you have a long-term health condition or disability.
Attendance Allowance
A tax-free benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care.
Pension Credit
A top-up for pensioners on a low income to bring their weekly income to a minimum level.