If you provide regular care for a disabled person, you may be eligible for an extra payment on top of your standard Universal Credit. This is called the Carers Element. For 2026/27, it is worth £209.34 per month and is paid as part of your regular UC payment.
It is not added automatically. You have to tell the DWP you are a carer, even if you are already receiving Carer's Allowance.
What Is the Carers Element of Universal Credit?
The Carers Element is an additional amount added to your Universal Credit award if you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a disabled person who receives certain qualifying benefits.
It is separate from Carer's Allowance. You do not need to claim Carer's Allowance to get the Carers Element, and there is no earnings limit tied specifically to the Carers Element. However, because it forms part of Universal Credit, the total amount you receive will still depend on your household income.
2026/27 Carers Element Rate
| Rate | Amount |
| Carers Element of Universal Credit | £209.34 per month |
This is on top of your standard Universal Credit allowance.
Who Is Eligible for the Carers Element?
To qualify, you must:
- Be receiving Universal Credit (or making a new claim for it)
- Be providing at least 35 hours of care per week to a disabled person
- Not be in full-time education
- Be aged 16 or over
- Not be receiving payment for the care through a formal employment contract
The person you care for does not need to live with you.
Qualifying Benefits the Person You Care for Must Receive
The person you are caring for must be in receipt of one of the following:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP), either rate of the daily living component
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA), middle or highest rate care component
- Adult Disability Payment (standard or enhanced award)
- Child Disability Payment (middle or highest care rate)
- Attendance Allowance (either rate)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance at the full day rate or above
How to Apply for the Carers Element
If You Are Making a New Universal Credit Claim
- Go to gov.uk/universal-credit and start your application
- When the form asks about your circumstances, indicate that you are a carer
- Provide the name, date of birth, and National Insurance number of the person you care for
- Give details of the qualifying disability benefit they receive
- State the number of hours per week you provide care
You must also have your bank account details, an email address, and proof of identity ready for the claim.
If You Already Receive Universal Credit
You do not need to make a new claim. Log in to your Universal Credit online account at gov.uk/sign-in-universal-credit and report a change of circumstances. State that you have started caring for someone or that the person you care for has been awarded a qualifying disability benefit.
You can also report this through your journal by sending a message to your work coach. Be prepared to provide:
- The name and National Insurance number of the person you care for
- The qualifying benefit they receive
- The number of hours of care you provide each week
- Details of any other people who also care for the same person
If You Cannot Apply Online
Call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Advisers can take your carer details over the phone.
Important Things to Know Before You Apply
It is not automatic. The Carers Element is never added without you reporting your caring role. This applies even if you already receive Carer's Allowance. GOV.UK is clear on this: the DWP will not know you are a carer unless you tell them.
Only one Carers Element per carer per household. If you and your partner both care for the same person, you will only receive one Carers Element between you. However, if you each care for a different person, you can each receive the Carers Element.
You cannot get both the Carers Element and the LCWRA health element. If you receive the Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity element, you will get the higher of the two, not both.
The person you care for may lose their Severe Disability Premium. If the person you care for receives the Severe Disability Premium as part of a legacy benefit, they will lose entitlement to it once your Universal Credit includes a Carers Element. Check the impact on them before applying.
Your work requirements may change. Once the DWP records your caring role, many carers are moved into the "no work-related requirements" group. This means you will not be expected to actively search for work while you are providing significant care.
How the Carers Element Interacts with Carer's Allowance
You can receive both Carer's Allowance and the Carers Element. However, Carer's Allowance counts as unearned income for Universal Credit purposes, so it will reduce your UC payment pound for pound. In most cases, you will still be better off overall because the Carers Element is added to your maximum Universal Credit amount before the Carer's Allowance deduction is applied. It also exempts you from the benefit cap.
Carer's Allowance in 2026/27 is paid at £83.30 per week.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Carers Element of Universal Credit in 2026?
The Carers Element is £209.34 per month for the 2026/27 financial year. This is added on top of your standard Universal Credit allowance.
Do I need to claim Carer's Allowance to get the Carers Element?
No. The Carers Element and Carer's Allowance are separate. You can receive the Carers Element without claiming Carer's Allowance, as long as you meet the 35 hours per week caring requirement and the person you care for receives a qualifying disability benefit.
How do I tell Universal Credit I am a carer?
If you already receive Universal Credit, log into your online account and report a change of circumstances. State that you are a carer and provide the details of the person you care for. You can also call the UC helpline on 0800 328 5644 or message your work coach through your journal.
Does the Carers Element affect the benefit cap?
Yes, in a positive way. If your Universal Credit includes the Carers Element, your household is exempt from the benefit cap. This is a significant benefit for some households.
Can both members of a couple claim the Carers Element?
Yes, if you are each caring for a different person. If you are both caring for the same person, only one Carers Element is paid.
What happens if I stop caring for someone?
You must report the change through your UC journal straight away. The Carers Element will be removed from your UC calculation from the assessment period in which the change occurred.
Does the Carers Element affect the person I care for?
It can. If the person you care for receives the Severe Disability Premium as part of a legacy benefit, they will lose it once you claim the Carers Element. Speak to a welfare adviser at Citizens Advice before applying if this applies.
