Carer's Allowance Calculator
Check if you qualify for Carer's Allowance in 2025/26 — £83.30 a week. Test the 35-hour care rule and the strict £196 weekly earnings limit in seconds.
Carer's Allowance checker
2025/26 rate £83.30/week. Check eligibility.
A guide only. Apply and check the full rules on GOV.UK Carer's Allowance.
Who can claim Carer's Allowance
Carer's Allowance is the main benefit for people who give regular, substantial care to someone with a disability. To qualify you must meet three core tests: you care for at least 35 hours a week, you earn no more than £196 a week after allowable deductions, and the person you care for receives a qualifying disability benefit.
Carer's Allowance is £83.30 a week in 2025/26 (around £361 a month). The £196 earnings limit is a cliff edge — earning even £1 over removes the whole payment, so it is worth keeping earnings just under the line.
The £196 earnings limit explained
Your earnings are counted after tax, National Insurance and half of any pension contributions. You can also deduct some care costs (for the disabled person or a child) needed so you can work. Unlike Universal Credit, there is no taper — it is all or nothing at the limit.
2025/26 figures
| Item | 2025/26 |
|---|---|
| Weekly Carer's Allowance | £83.30 |
| Minimum care hours | 35 / week |
| Earnings limit (net) | £196 / week |
| Carer Element of UC | £201.68 / month |
Source: GOV.UK — Carer's Allowance, 2025/26.
Carer's Allowance and other benefits
Carer's Allowance "overlaps" with some benefits — you cannot be paid it on top of an equal or higher State Pension, for example. But claiming can still trigger an extra Carer Element in Universal Credit or a Carer Addition in Pension Credit, so it is usually worth applying even where it is not paid directly.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Carer's Allowance in 2025/26?
Carer's Allowance is £83.30 a week in 2025/26. You must care for someone at least 35 hours a week and earn no more than £196 a week after allowable deductions.
What is the Carer's Allowance earnings limit?
You can earn up to £196 a week (after tax, National Insurance and half of any pension contributions) and still get Carer's Allowance. Earn £1 over and you lose the whole payment — it is a 'cliff edge', not a taper.
Can I get Carer's Allowance and a pension?
Carer's Allowance overlaps with the State Pension. If your pension is £83.30 or more a week you cannot be paid Carer's Allowance, but you may have an 'underlying entitlement' that increases other benefits like Pension Credit.
Does the person I care for need to get a benefit?
Yes. The person you care for must receive a qualifying disability benefit such as the daily living part of Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, or the middle/highest rate care component of DLA.
Is Carer's Allowance taxable?
Yes, Carer's Allowance counts as taxable income, though many carers do not pay tax because their total income is below the personal allowance. It can also affect other means-tested benefits you receive.