Carer’s Allowance review closes tonight: how carers can respond

The Carer’s Allowance call for evidence closes at 11:59pm today, 18 August 2026. Unpaid carers, organisations and people with relevant experience can still contribute, but should check the official response form and accessibility instructions before submitting.

By AtheneNet News Desk — 18 August 2026

Who can respond before tonight’s deadline

The Department for Work and Pensions is inviting evidence from individual carers, charities, representative organisations and others with relevant knowledge or experience anywhere in the UK.

Carer’s Allowance itself is available in England and Wales. Scotland has introduced Carer Support Payment as its replacement benefit, but people across the UK may contribute to this evidence-gathering exercise.

Current Carer’s Allowance conditions described by the department include providing at least 35 hours of care each week and remaining within a weekly earnings limit of £204 after permitted deductions. Those conditions have not changed because of the consultation.

Which experiences could help the review

The review is examining how Carer’s Allowance might work better alongside employment. Useful evidence may include practical examples of:

• How the weekly earnings limit affects decisions about hours, shifts or accepting a pay rise.
• What happens when wages fluctuate because of irregular work, overtime or changing schedules.
• Whether calculating earnings over a different period would make the system easier to manage.
• How a possible earnings taper could affect carers compared with the current limit.
• Difficulties balancing paid employment with at least 35 hours of caring responsibilities.
• How employers, benefit rules and unpredictable income influence whether carers can remain in work.

Respondents can explain what works poorly, describe the consequences of current arrangements and suggest improvements. Specific lived examples can help illustrate problems that headline figures may not capture.

How to submit evidence today

The main submission route is the official online response form. Respondents should allow enough time to complete and send it before the 11:59pm deadline.

The official page also provides an email route for responses containing attachments or exceeding the online form’s stated limit. Anyone using email should follow the published instructions and confirm that the submission has been sent before the deadline.

Alternative formats are available, including:

• British Sign Language
• Easy Read
• Audio
• Braille
• Large print
• Welsh

People who need an alternative format should consult the accessibility section on the official page today for the correct contact route.

The review does not change entitlement today

This is a call for evidence intended to inform future policy thinking. It does not alter current Carer’s Allowance entitlement, payment conditions or the £204 earnings limit today, and it does not guarantee that an earnings taper or any other proposed reform will be adopted.

Current claimants should continue following the existing rules and reporting requirements. The immediate action for anyone wishing to contribute is to check the government page, select the appropriate submission route and send their evidence by 11:59pm tonight.

Source: Department for Work and Pensions