How to use the Carer's Allowance calculator
- 1 Enter how many hours a week you spend caring.
- 2 Say whether the person you care for gets a qualifying disability benefit.
- 3 Say whether you are in full-time education.
- 4 Enter your gross weekly earnings, pension contributions and any paid care costs, then read the result.
Worked example
You care for 35 hours a week and earn £180 a week gross. That is below the personal allowance, so no tax or NI is due and net earnings are £180, which is £24 under the £204 limit. You qualify for £86.45 a week (£4,495.40 a year). At £300 a week with £20 pension contributions, net earnings would be £273.68 and you would not qualify.
Staying under the earnings limit
- Check every pay period: the £204 limit is weekly, averaged for irregular pay.
- Pay into a pension: half of contributions come off your earnings.
- Keep care receipts: paid care while you work can be deducted.
- Tell the DWP about any change in earnings straight away.
Combine it with the Universal Credit Calculator, plan for later with the State Pension Calculator, and check a raise with the Pay Rise Calculator.
Features
Earnings limit check
Applies the £204 limit to net earnings, as the DWP does.
Allowable deductions
Takes off tax, NI, half of pension contributions and up to half of earnings for care costs.
Yearly value
Shows £86.45 a week as £4,495.40 a year, and the Universal Credit carer element.
When to use it
Working carers
Check whether a few extra hours would push you over the limit. For your full pay, use the Take-Home Pay Calculator.
Pay rises
Since April 2026 the limit is £204; check before accepting extra shifts. See your new pay with the Pay Rise Calculator.
Universal Credit claimants
Carer's Allowance counts as income for Universal Credit, but you also get the carer element. Estimate both with the Universal Credit Calculator.
Planning around the cliff edge
Earning £1 over the limit means losing the whole £86.45 for that week, so check carefully.
Related Benefits tasks
Frequently asked questions
How much is Carer's Allowance in 2026/27?
£86.45 a week from April 2026, which is £4,495.40 a year. It is usually paid every four weeks and is taxable income.
What is the Carer's Allowance earnings limit?
£204 a week from 6 April 2026, after allowable deductions. If your net earnings are above £204 in a week, you do not get Carer's Allowance for that week, even if you are only £1 over.
What can I deduct from my earnings?
Income tax, National Insurance, half of what you pay into a pension, and some costs of paying someone (not a close relative) to look after the person you care for, or a child under 16, while you work, up to half of your net earnings.
Who qualifies for Carer's Allowance?
You must be 16 or over, spend at least 35 hours a week caring, not be in full-time education, and the person you care for must get a qualifying benefit such as the PIP daily living component, DLA middle or highest care rate, Attendance Allowance or Adult Disability Payment in Scotland.
Can I get Carer's Allowance and Universal Credit?
Yes. Carer's Allowance is taken off your Universal Credit pound for pound, but you also get the Universal Credit carer element of £209.34 a month, so most people are better off claiming both.
Does Carer's Allowance affect the person I care for?
It can. If they get a severe disability addition in a means-tested benefit, it may stop when you get Carer's Allowance. Check before you claim.
Do I get Carer's Allowance if I get a State Pension?
Usually not paid, because they overlap, but you may get an underlying entitlement that can increase Pension Credit or Housing Benefit.
Is there a Carer's Allowance in Scotland?
Scotland has Carer Support Payment, run by Social Security Scotland, which has replaced Carer's Allowance for new claims there. It pays the same weekly rate and uses a similar earnings limit.
Is this calculator official?
No. It uses the published 2026/27 rules to give an estimate. The DWP decides your claim; apply on GOV.UK.
Results are estimates based on the official rates linked above. Confirm important figures with the issuing authority or a qualified adviser before you act on them.
Built and reviewed by Hamza Farooq, founder and lead developer
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