If you are helping to look after someone for 35 hours a week or more, you may be eligible for the Carers Allowance, which is a regular payment of £76.75 a week to support you with the costs of caring. You can choose to be paid weekly or monthly, and the money will go straight into your account.
There are a few conditions that will affect whether you can receive the allowance. For example, as well as helping to look after someone for at least 35 hours a week, the person you help to look after must be in receipt of one or more particular Government benefits, and you must earn less than £139 a week after tax.
For more information and to see if you’re eligible, follow the link to the Government website below.
https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance
If you think you, or someone you know, needs help to cope day-to-day, the first step is to get a needs assessment from your local council.
You'll need to have this assessment before the council can recommend a service such as:
- equipment like a walking frame or a personal alarm
- changes to your home (eg.walk-in shower)
- practical help from a paid carer
- day care for your child if either you or they are disabled
- access to day centres and lunch clubs
- moving to a care home
The needs assessment is free and anyone can ask for one.
Apply for a Needs Assessment
Find your local council
If you care for someone, you can have an assessment to see what might help make your life easier. This is called a carer's assessment.
It might recommend things like:
- someone to take over caring so you can take a break
- gym membership and exercise classes to relieve stress
- help with taxi fares if you don't drive
- help with gardening and housework
- training how to lift safely
- putting you in touch with local support groups so you have people to talk to
- advice about benefits for carers
A carer's assessment is free and anyone over 18 can ask for one.
It's separate from the needs assessment the person you care for might have, but you can ask to have them both done at the same time.
Find your local social care services
It is entirely up to you if you want to discuss this with your employer. It may be a good idea to be open and honest with your employer, as extra support may be made available.
For example, they may be more understanding and flexible if you perhaps needed time off with only short notice, or they might have support networks of other carers in your workplace
Talking about your caring role at work
Your rights in the workplace as a career
Navigating through this challenging time requires tailored support and specialist skills.
Connect with local support services available for carers; offering a wealth of options to provide you with emotional, financial and legal support.
Find local support services
Support from Red Cross
However caring affects you, Carers UK can help with someone to talk you through it. Their freephone helpline provides information and guidance to unpaid carers on a range of topics, including benefits, financial support, and your rights in the workplace, as well as anything else you might want some support on.
Their helpline is available on 0808 808 7777 from Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm (excluding Bank Holidays) or you can contact them by email advice@carersuk.org
