Sandwich carers: support for caring for parents and children

A sandwich carer looks after dependent children and an older, ill or disabled adult relative at the same time. The Office for National Statistics estimates about 1.4 million sandwich carers aged 16 to 64 in the UK. Help includes a free carer’s assessment, flexible working requests, unpaid carer’s leave and, for some, Carer’s Allowance of £86.45 a week.

At a glance

• The ONS defines sandwich carers as people with care responsibilities for dependent children and for adult relatives who are sick, disabled or older.
• An estimated 1.4 million people aged 16 to 64 in the UK were sandwich carers in 2021 to 2023.
• Carer’s Allowance needs 35 hours of care a week, and the earnings limit is £204 a week after tax and expenses.
• Employees can ask for flexible working from day one and take up to one week of unpaid carer’s leave a year.
• Both the carer and the person they care for can ask the council for an assessment.

What is a sandwich carer?

The term describes people squeezed between two generations. They may help a parent with shopping, medicines and appointments while also raising children, and the two sets of needs rarely fit neatly around each other. The ONS counted people as sandwich carers if they cared for sick, disabled or older adult relatives as well as for dependent children.

The ONS analysis, which uses the Understanding Society study for January 2021 to May 2023, estimated 1.4 million sandwich carers aged 16 to 64 across the UK. Most (61%) were women, and about half (51%) were aged 45 to 64. About seven in ten (71%) gave care for fewer than 20 hours a week, and a quarter (26%) gave 20 hours or more. Just over six in ten (64%) cared for relatives who lived elsewhere, such as a parent in another home.

How does it affect money, work and health?

The ONS found that sandwich carers were more likely than all adults to report financial strain. Some 16% found it quite or very difficult to manage financially, compared with 9% of all adults, and the figure rose to 25% among those caring for 20 hours or more a week. Four in ten (43%) lived in households with a gross income of £20,000 or less a year, against 32% of all adults.

Work was affected too. Among sandwich carers who looked after someone in their household, 53% said caring stopped them working at all or as much as they would like, rising to 74% of those giving 20 hours or more. About 31% showed some evidence of depression or anxiety, compared with 24% of all adults. These are survey results from 2021 to 2023, so they describe a pattern rather than a precise picture today.

What financial help is available?

Which support applies depends on the hours of care and on who receives a disability benefit. The 2026/27 amounts are below.

Two rules matter for parents. First, if you pay someone to look after the person you care for or your children while you work, GOV.UK says care costs up to 50% of your earnings can be treated as an expense when working out Carer’s Allowance earnings. The carer cannot be your spouse, partner, parent, child or sibling. Second, if you get Child Benefit for a child under 12, you automatically receive National Insurance credits, so you do not need to apply for Carer’s Credit. Read the guides to Carer’s Allowance, the earnings limit, the Universal Credit carer element and Carer’s Credit.

What rights do sandwich carers have at work?

Employees can ask for flexible working, such as different hours, days or locations, from their first day in a job. The employer must decide within two months unless a longer period is agreed, and can refuse only for a good business reason. In Northern Ireland the rules differ.

Unpaid carer’s leave is available in England, Scotland and Wales from the first day of employment. It is up to one week in any 12 months, can be taken as days or half days, and can be used across more than one dependant. Employers cannot refuse the request, although they can ask the employee to take it at a different time if the absence would cause serious disruption. Employees are also allowed a reasonable amount of time off for an emergency involving a dependant, including arranging longer-term care. Our guides on juggling work and caring and carer’s leave cover the detail.

How can you share the load?

• Ask for a carer’s assessment. It is free, and anyone over 18 can request one from the council. It looks at how caring affects your wellbeing, work and family life. See the carer’s assessment guide.
• Ask for the other person to be assessed too. A needs assessment can open the door to home care, equipment or day services. See direct payments and personal budgets.
• Plan breaks. Short stays and sitting services can give you time for your children and yourself. Read respite care explained.
• Talk early with relatives. Use talking to parents about care to prepare, and consider siblings’ roles.
• Look at long-term options. Compare home care and a care home when needs grow, and see long-distance caregiving if your parent lives far away.

Frequently asked questions

How many sandwich carers are there in the UK?

The ONS estimated about 1.4 million sandwich carers aged 16 to 64 in the UK between January 2021 and May 2023. The figure covers only people aged 16 to 64, so it does not include older sandwich carers.

Can I claim Carer’s Allowance if I also have children?

Yes, if you meet the conditions: 35 hours a week of care, earnings of £204 or less, and a qualifying benefit received by the person you care for. The 35 hours must be spent caring for the person who gets the qualifying benefit.

Can I get paid time off to look after a parent?

Statutory carer’s leave is unpaid. Some employers offer paid leave, so check your contract or staff handbook. The right to reasonable time off for emergencies is also unpaid by law, though employers may choose to pay.

Do I have to give my employer proof for carer’s leave?

No. The request does not have to be in writing and the employee does not need to give evidence of the dependant’s care needs. Notice must be at least twice as long as the leave, or three days for a half or full day.

Can I get a carer’s assessment if my parent lives elsewhere?

Yes, if you care for them regularly. The NHS says anyone over 18 who cares for someone can ask. Contact adult social services at your local council and ask for a carer’s assessment.

Where to get help next

For an overview of benefits and rights, read being a carer for a family member. If care is becoming too much, the funding checker shows what help with fees may be available, and find care lists local options. See also caring for elderly parents.

Sources

• Office for National Statistics: Sandwich carers, UK: January 2021 to May 2023
• GOV.UK: Carer’s Allowance eligibility
• GOV.UK: Carer’s Credit
• GOV.UK: Unpaid carer’s leave
• GOV.UK: Flexible working
• GOV.UK: Time off for family and dependants

See also: How often should you visit elderly parents? A practical guide · Christmas Stress for Carers: Coping and Getting Support

Reviewed by The Care Panel team on 9 November 2026. This guide is general information about care in England, not legal, medical or financial advice. Rules and rates change; check with your council or an adviser before making decisions.