Finding financial help for carers

Are you a carer ?  

Many carers don’t see themselves as carers and find it difficult to see their caring role as separate from the relationship they have with the person for whom they care  eg parent, child, sibling, spouse, partner, or friend.

On average, it takes people around two years to acknowledge their role as a carer 

You are a carer if you look after someone regularly because they’re ill, ageing or disabled but you are not paid to do so.  

Anyone can be a carer  – including friends, relatives, spouses, parents – you don’t need to live with the person you are caring for and you do not need to provide full time care. 

The following activities count as being a carer: 

Helping with day to day activities such as:

• washing, dressing or taking medicines
• getting out and about and travelling to doctors’ appointments
• shopping, cleaning and laundry
• paying bills and organising finances

Providing emotional support by:

• sitting with someone to keep them company
• watching over someone if they can’t be left alone

Financial help for Carers

The main specific source of financial support for carers comes in the form of benefits, which specifically includes the Carers Allowance and Carers Credit.  

Both of these benefits have strict eligible criteria relating to you and the person you are caring for.

These Government websites will give you more information about Carers Allowance and Carers credit.

Carers allowance

This allowance is means tested and only available to those aged 16 or over, who spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone.  The care can include: 

• helping with washing and cooking
• taking the person you care for to a doctor’s appointment
• helping with household tasks, like managing bills and shopping

You will only be eligible for Carer’s Allowance if you and the person you care for meet certain criteria.  For example, the person you care for must already be receiving a benefit such as attendance allowance. 

Carers credit

You could get Carer’s Credit if you’re caring for someone for at least 20 hours a week, you are over 16 but under state pension age.

Your income, savings or investments will not affect eligibility for Carer’s Credit.

Carer’s Credit is a National Insurance credit that helps with gaps in your National Insurance record. Your State Pension is National Insurance record. 

You will only be eligible for carers allowance if the person you care for also meets certain criteria such as receiving a benefit such as attendance allowance. 

Other benefits for carers

As a carer you might also be eligible for other financial benefits including universal credit or pension credits.  This government site will give you more specific details of financial benefits for carers. 

Take a look at our guide to financial help. which also features this benefits calculator.