Caring for someone? Make sure you’re getting the support you deserve

This week is Carers Week (8 - 14 June), an annual campaign that raises awareness of caring, highlights the challenges unpaid carers face, and recognises the vital contribution they make to families and communities across the UK.

What is a carer?

A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, addiction, or who needs extra help as they get older.

A carer is not someone who volunteers or is paid to provide support.

The cost of living and carers

Over the past year, more than 4,000 of our customers were carers, highlighting the financial pressures many people face while supporting a loved one.

This reflects findings from a report by Carers UK, which shows that unpaid carers continue to experience financial hardship following the UK's cost of living crisis.

The report, published in October 2024, found that:

• 61% of carers were worried about living costs and managing financially in the future
• 35% of carers didn’t feel confident they will be able to manage financially over the next 12 months
• 28% of carers had cut back on essentials such as food and heating, up from 25% in 2022
• 42% of carers receiving carer's allowance were struggling to make ends meet.

Financial pressures can have a serious impact on wellbeing, causing stress, anxiety and uncertainty about the future.

Financial support available to carers

If you're caring for someone, you may be entitled to financial support and other forms of help.

Carer’s allowance

If you spend a lot of time looking after someone with a disability or illness, you may be able to claim carer's allowance.

What is carer's allowance?

You may be eligible if you provide care for at least 35 hours a week.

This could include helping with:

• attending medical appointments
• managing bills and finances
• shopping
• washing and personal care
• preparing meals

How much could you receive?

Carer's allowance is currently £86.45 per week.

Can you claim it?

To qualify, you must:

• be aged 16 or over
• not be in full-time education
• care for someone for at least 35 hours a week
• earn no more than £204 a week after tax and certain deductions
• care for someone who receives a qualifying disability benefit
• usually live in the UK

You don’t need to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.

Only one person can claim carer's allowance for caring for the same individual, and you will not receive extra payments if you care for more than one person.

You can apply through the government website.

Carer's credit

Carer's credit helps protect your national insurance record if you're unable to work because of your caring responsibilities.

You may qualify if you:

• are aged 16 or over
• are below state pension age
• provide care for at least 20 hours a week

The person you care for will usually need to receive certain benefits.

If they don’t, you may still be eligible by completing the care certificate section of the application and having it signed by a health or social care professional.

Apply through the government website.

Carer premium, addition or element

If you're receiving a means-tested benefit, you may be entitled to extra financial support.

This additional amount may be included in:

• universal credit
• income support
• housing benefit
• pension credit
• income-related jobseeker's allowance
• income-related employment and support allowance
• council tax support (or rate relief in Northern Ireland)

The carer premium is currently worth £48.15 per week.

In most cases, it is added automatically to your qualifying benefit, so you do not need to make a separate application.

Disability living allowance for children

If you’re the parent/guardian carer or a disabled child, you may be able to get disability living allowance (DLA) for children.

Who is it for?

DLA for children helps with the additional costs of caring for a child who:

• Is under 16 years old
• Has difficulties walking, or
• Needs substantially more care and supervision than a child of the same age without a disability

The amount you receive depends on your child's needs and can range from £30.30 to £194.60 per week.

You can apply through the government website.

Carer’s assessment

As a carer, you have the right to ask your local council for a carer's assessment. This assessment looks at how caring affects your life and identifies support that could help make things easier.

What support could you receive?

Depending on your circumstances, support could include:

• help with transport costs
• assistance with housework or gardening
• respite care, giving you time for yourself
• access to wellbeing activities, such as a gym membership
• local support groups
• advice on benefits and other financial help

How do you request an assessment?

Anyone aged 18 or over can ask for a carer's assessment free of charge.

If you’re caring for an adult, contact adult social services.

If you’re caring for a child, contact the children with disabilities department.

Grants for carers

If money’s tight, it's worth checking whether you're eligible for any grants.

Unlike loans, grants do not need to be repaid.

Many charities and organisations provide grants to people in different circumstances, including carers.

You can search the Turn2us grants directory to see what support may be available to you.

Support from Carers Trust

The Carers Trust offers a range of support, including grants, discounts and practical help, often delivered through local network partners.

Council tax discounts

Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to a reduction in your council tax bill.

It's always worth checking what support is available in your local area.

Not sure what you're entitled to?

You could be missing out on valuable financial support.

Try our benefits calculator to check whether you're receiving everything you're entitled to.

If you'd prefer to speak to someone, we're here to help. Call us on 0161 518 8285.

Our lines are open:

• Monday to Friday: 8am - 8pm
• Weekends: 10am - 4pm

Together, we can make sure you're getting the support you're entitled to.