Caring for someone can lead to money worries, especially if your caring role means you have to give up work. Here we have gathered information about all the financial support that may be available to you.
The first thing you may want to do is to check if there are any benefits you can claim. Our friends at the Carers Trust have a brilliant guide and calculator to make this as easy as possible.
You can apply for a badge if you care for someone who is disabled or has a health condition that affects their mobility, and need to park close to a destination.
A Blue Badge is issued by the Blue Badge scheme. It will enable you to access free, discounted and accessible parking.
Carers can often struggle to find the support that is needed, especially when it comes to finding help with extra money or what sorts of funding you’re entitled to.
With our financial checklist for carers we have simplified things. All of the options available are listed, along with eligibility criteria.
If you care for someone who is a pensioner and needs care or supervision because they have an illness or disability then they are eligible for claiming Attendance Allowance. If the person you care for is already in receipt of Personal Independence Payment or Disability Living Allowance then they may not be eligible to apply for Attendance Allowance.
Carer’s Allowance is a benefit you could get if you care for someone. To be eligible to apply:
If you give up work to care for someone, you might be worried that not paying National Insurance (NI) will lower your State Pension. But, if you’re eligible for Carer’s Credit, you can get credits to help fill gaps in your National Insurance record. This means you can take on caring responsibilities without affecting your ability to qualify for the State Pension
Personal Independence Payment provides extra money if you have a long-term physical or mental illness or disability. It doesn’t matter what your condition is – what matters is how it affects you. If you have difficulty with everyday tasks such as washing and dressing, or with getting around outside, you may be eligible. It also doesn’t matter what your income or savings are as it is not means-tested.
If you are registered with us, you can apply for carers grant to pay for a break, activity, service or training to improve your health or wellbeing.
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Local authorities oversee most elements of social care. If your friend or relative meets certain eligibility criteria then the council have an obligation to pay for some or all of their care. This includes if they need paid carers to help look after them in their own home, or if they need a more substantial level of care, such as in a care home.
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Taking the decision that it’s time for someone else to care for your loved one can be difficult and you want to be sure that the home you choose is the right one for them. It is important that the person you are caring for agrees with this decision, unless they do not have the mental capacity to make this choice.