Help and advice
What support is available for unpaid carers?
5 minutes
If you spend a lot of time helping someone who is disabled, seriously ill, or needs a lot of extra help, then you are a carer, even if you haven’t thought of yourself in that way before.
Caring can be rewarding at times, but also tough. You can feel like you’ve been left to fend for yourself. But you are entitled to support, and you can ask for it.
Watch this video from Independent Age about what support you could receive as a carer.
What support is available?
There is a lot of support available for carers and the people you care for including:
- Carers Allowance - you could get a weekly payment if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they are claiming benefits. You can find out more and apply on the gov.uk website
- Carer Premium - you may be able to get Carers Allowance and/or Carer Premium. The Carer Premium is an extra payment you can get if you’re caring for someone and receiving eligible benefits. You can find more information on the Citizens Advice webpage
- Carers Credit - you could receive this if you’re caring for someone for at least 20 hours a week. Carer’s Credit is a National Insurance credit that helps with gaps in your National Insurance record. This is important as your State Pension is based on this record. You can find out more and apply on the gov.uk website
- Carers Trust have some grants available through your local Carers Trust Network Partner. You can find your nearest Carers Trust Network Partner by searching ‘Find support in your area’.
- Turn2us is a free service that helps people access welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help – online, by phone and face-to-face.
- Disability Grants has information about charities and trusts which give out grants to disabled people and their carers.
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