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Screen weekly earnings and care hours against two 2026/27 conditions for England and Wales.
Sample figures · replace with your weekly amounts
Estimated weekly earnings for this screen
£190.00
2026/27 earnings limit: £204.00
Within the earnings limit by £14.00.
Edit inputs35 hours per week
Meets the 35-hour care-time condition.
Passing these two screens does not confirm eligibility. The cared-for person, location, education, residence and other rules also matter; DWP makes the decision.
GOV.UK requires at least 35 hours a week for Carer’s Allowance.
For employment or self-employment; use a weekly figure for the relevant period.
Enter only expenses accepted under official rules. Deduction is capped at your entered earnings; this tool cannot decide what qualifies.
This checker covers England and Wales. Scotland uses Carer Support Payment; Northern Ireland has a separate service.
GOV.UK says earnings are assessed after Income Tax, National Insurance and allowable expenses. These may include 50% of pension contributions, required work equipment, certain unpaid travel between workplaces and qualifying business costs. Care costs while working can count only up to 50% of earnings, and the paid carer cannot be a spouse, partner, parent, child or sibling. Enter only expenses you have checked against the official rules.
For the qualifying benefit, claim process, other benefit effects and National Insurance credits, read the new Carer’s Allowance guide for 2026/27.
This screen uses GOV.UK’s 2026/27 earnings ceiling and care-hours condition. It does not decide whether you qualify or whether an expense is allowable.