Carer's Allowance is the main government benefit for unpaid carers in the United Kingdom. From April 2026 it pays £86.45 per week — £4,495.40 per year. Yet tens of thousands of carers who are eligible never claim it. This guide explains exactly who qualifies, how the earnings limit works in practice, and how to apply step by step. Who qualifies for Carer's Allowance You may be eligible if all of the following apply:
You spend at least 35 hours per week caring for someone The person you care for receives a qualifying disability benefit — Personal Independence Payment daily living component, Disability Living Allowance care component at the middle or highest rate, Attendance Allowance, Armed Forces Independence Payment, or Constant Attendance Allowance You are aged 16 or over You are not in full-time education Your net earnings are £204 per week or less from April 2026
You do not need to live with the person you care for. The relationship does not matter — you can be caring for a parent, spouse, child, sibling, or friend. How the earnings limit works in practice The earnings limit of £204 per week is calculated after deducting tax, National Insurance contributions, half of any pension contributions, and eligible expenses such as care costs you pay for someone to look after the person you care for while you work. Many carers who work part time can still qualify even if their gross pay appears above £204. The net calculation after deductions often brings earnings below the threshold. What Carer's Allowance pays From April 2026 Carer's Allowance pays £86.45 per week paid every four weeks directly into your bank account. Important: if you receive certain other benefits including State Pension, contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance, or contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance, you may not receive Carer's Allowance as a payment — but you can still make an underlying entitlement claim which protects your National Insurance record and may increase other benefits you receive. Many carers miss this entirely. The Carer Element of Universal Credit If you receive Universal Credit and qualify for Carer's Allowance, a Carer Element of £209.34 per month is added to your Universal Credit payment automatically once your caring role is confirmed. You do not need to make a separate application. Carer's Credit — protecting your National Insurance record If you cannot receive Carer's Allowance as a payment because of overlapping benefits, you may be able to claim Carer's Credit instead. Carer's Credit fills gaps in your National Insurance record protecting your future State Pension entitlement. Your legal right to a Carer's Assessment As an unpaid carer you have a legal right to a Carer's Assessment from your local council under the Care Act 2014. This assessment looks at your needs as a carer and may result in funded support — such as respite care or practical help at home. Many carers have never been told about this right. Contact your local council social services department to request one. How to apply — step by step Step 1 — Check that the person you care for receives a qualifying disability benefit. Step 2 — Gather your National Insurance number, bank account details, employment details and earnings, and details of any expenses you pay for care while you work. Step 3 — Apply online at gov.uk/carers-allowance or call the Carer's Allowance Unit on 0800 731 0297. Step 4 — You can backdate your claim by up to three months. Request backdating when you apply. Step 5 — After applying you will receive a decision letter. If approved payments start within a few weeks. Official sources
Carer's Allowance — gov.uk/carers-allowance Carer Element of Universal Credit — gov.uk/universal-credit/what-youll-get Carer's Credit — gov.uk/carers-credit Carer's Assessment — gov.uk/carers-assessment Carers UK helpline — carersuk.org or 0808 808 7777
This article is for informational purposes only. FeatherKeep does not assess benefit eligibility. Always confirm your specific situation with a qualified financial adviser or contact the DWP directly.