Benefit
Carer's Allowance & Support
Support for people who spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone with substantial care needs, plus wider carer's support beyond the Allowance itself.
Note: If you live in Scotland, you'll usually get Carer Support Payment instead of Carer's Allowance — it has similar aims but is run separately by Social Security Scotland.
Who it's for
Carer's Allowance isn't just for people who receive it directly — carers who don't qualify (for example because they're above the earnings limit, or the person they care for doesn't get a qualifying disability benefit) can still find value in wider carer's support: local carer's assessments, respite support, and Carer's Credit for National Insurance protection.
- You spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone
- The person you care for gets a qualifying disability benefit (such as PIP daily living component, Attendance Allowance, or the middle/highest rate of DLA care)
- You're 16 or over and not in full-time education
- You earn no more than the weekly earnings limit, after allowable deductions
What you may get (2026/27 rates)
Carer's Allowance is not means-tested against savings, but it is affected by your earnings and by overlapping benefits rules — you may not be paid it in full alongside certain other benefits such as the State Pension.
- Weekly rate: £86.45
- Earnings limit: £204 a week, after allowable deductions such as tax, National Insurance and half of pension contributions
Beyond the Allowance
Local councils in England, Scotland and Wales have a duty to offer carers a carer's assessment, which can lead to practical and respite support regardless of whether you qualify for the Allowance itself.
Frequently asked questions
BenefitsPlanner is an independent planning tool. It is not GOV.UK, DWP, HMRC, your local authority, or the NHS, and nothing here is an official entitlement decision. Always check current rules on GOV.UK or with the relevant authority.