Advice and Information for Carers

There are a range of benefits, tax credits and other financial support that you may be entitled to as a carer. The main benefit is called Carer's Allowance. It is a state benefit which provides a weekly payment to support you in your caring role. The allowance is for people who care for someone with a severe disability. You can't be in full time education or earn over a certain amount of money to claim the benefit. You also must be aged 16 or over and caring for someone at least 35 hours a week.

To check the full set of criteria and whether you would qualify for Carer's Allowance, visit the DirectGov website.

The Carers Trust website also has helpful information about who can claim this benefit.

There are other forms of financial support available for carers which can enhance existing benefits or credits and provide additional support.

Some of these include:

• Carer's Credits
• Income Support
• Tax Credits

Details about all of these and how to apply, are on the DirectGov website

If you want further advice about caring, please speak to a member of our staff who will be happy to advise you about the support that is available

As a carer, it’s important you get the right help and support. You have a legal right to an assessment. It’s an opportunity for you to talk about the things that could make caring easier. This could be providing additional services for the person you’re looking after, or services for you as a carer. It may also include respite care. 

You can still have a carer’s assessment even if the person you care for refuses help or an assessment themselves.

During your assessment

During the assessment, you will be able to discuss your role as a carer, how it affects you and what help you might benefit from. It’s important to think about your own health and wellbeing and to make sure you still get time for yourself.

You can get a carer’s assessment whether you care for someone with a physical or a mental health problem. The assessment isn’t linked to Carer’s Allowance (financial support for carers).

How can I get an assessment?

To find out about getting an assessment, you can: 

• Speak to a member of our staff

• Contact your local social services team

• Contact Carers Direct by calling 0300 123 1053 (lines are open 9am-8pm Monday to Friday, 11am-4pm at weekends)

The following items are useful resources for carers:

Feeling Lonely - a guide to staying connected in older age - Independent Age