Unpaid family carers make a vital contribution to our communities and the country, providing care and support to family members friends, often alongside other responsibilities. Carer’s Allowance, paid to people providing at least 35 hours of care a week to a family member or friend who is older, disabled or has a long-term health condition was first introduced 50 years ago, and plays an important role in recognising that contribution.
However, The Independent Review into Carer’s Allowance overpayments showed that mistakes have been made in the past. and that it hasn’t kept up with changes in how people work today. Many family carers want the flexibility to combine some paid work with their caring responsibilities.
The UK Government has now launched a call for evidence, inviting unpaid family carers and organisations to share their views on how to modernise Carer’s Allowance to reflect the realities of caring today.
During the six-week period views on the following will be gathered
- Changes to the earnings limit and earnings taper to reduce the impact of the current cliff edge and reduce the number of overpayments
- Improving predictability for carers with varying incomes
- Improving the interaction between Universal Credit and Carer’s Allowance for carers receiving both social security benefits
- A review of the 21-hour study rule which prevents carers from claiming Carer’s Allowance if they are studying for more than 21 hours, which is important for young students, but also older learners and those studying vocational courses
The Review welcomes evidence and insight from individuals and organisations with lived or learned experience, knowledge and expertise. Evidence can take many forms and could include written submissions, existing data or unpublished analysis or reports.
How to submit your evidence
Online – Please this the online form. All responses are submitted anonymously, and if you wish to attachments, or your response exceeds the character limit of the form you can email them to carer.callforevidence@dwp.gov.uk
By Post – If you would like to respond by post, please send to
Carer’s Allowance Reform
Devolution, Pensioner Benefits & Carer’s Allowance Directorate
Department for Work and Pensions
Floor Two
Caxton House
London
SW1H 9NA
By Email – You can email carer.callforevidence@dwp.gov.uk to find out about alternative ways of submitting a response. Please note that this inbox is used for call for evidence responses only, and DWP are unable to respond to queries about individual benefit claims or personal circumstances.
BSL – You can submit a video in British Sign Language to carer.cfebsl@dwp.gov.uk
The closing date for evidence is 18th August 2026.
