Financial checklist for carers
As carers, we often can find ourselves going down a rabbit hole just to find the help we need. Be it looking for help with extra money, social workers, finding the right paid carer, or what sorts of funding we’re entitled to.
Sometimes, searching for something only to find out we may not be eligible for it can be confusing (and quite honestly frustrating!)
So we’ve simplified this for you - with our financial checklist for carers. We’ve done the research and mapping for you which means no more rabbit holes. Select the category that best suits you. Then simply tick things off the checklist we’ve created.
*We do not provide financial or benefits advice but we'll share helpful information and suggestions from other carers and give you space to work out your next steps. If you do need more help, please get in touch with your local Citizens Advice.
I’m working age (15-64) and in work
If we provide 35 hours of unpaid care a week, and are earning less than £151 a week, we may be eligible for £81.90 a week.
If we provide 20 hours of unpaid care a week, Carer’s Credits will help fill the National Insurance gaps to ensure we have enough credits for our State Pension later on. This is because we may not be working enough hours to build this. We’ll automatically get this if we receive Carer’s Allowance.
If we’re on a low income and receiving Universal Credit, we may be entitled to an additional £185.86 a month for looking after someone. This is known as the Carer’s Element of Universal Credit. It’s worth checking with the Universal Credit team to see how it’ll work for us.
This is a benefit for the person we care for, if they’ve reached state pension age and have a physical or mental health disability. It's a payment to help with the extra care needs they may have.
If we're caring for someone who is under 16, they may be eligible for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Child Disability Payment in Scotland.
☐ Personal Independence Payment
If the person we care for is over 16 (or of state pension age), they may be eligible for a Personal Independence Payment (PIP). PIP can help with the extra costs of living and there are two components: A daily living part, to help with everyday tasks, and a mobility part for help with getting around.
☐ Direct payments from a Carer’s Assessment
A Carer’s Assessment with our local council can open doors to more help, including with the costs of caring. This could be in the form of Direct Payments - a one-off payment to us to either help us take breaks, pay for driving lessons or other ways depending on our needs as carers.
☐ Grants from our local council
Sometimes, our local council may offer grants to help with the costs of caring, such as home adaptations or equipment. It’s also helpful to know that we don’t have to pay VATs on adaptations if the person we care for has a disability - also known as a VAT relief.
It’s worth checking with the council and our local Carers Support Organisation. Turn2Us also has a helpful tool to help us search for local grants.
If we’re on a low income and claiming a benefit, we may be eligible for a Council Tax reduction. Depending on where we live, our councils will have a different way of offering these so it’s worth checking.
Make sure that we’re saving where we can with a list of places offering money off for carers here. See the full Carers’ Guide to suggested outing destinations across the UK.
I’m working age (15-64) and unable to work
If we’re providing 35 hours of unpaid care a week, and earning less than £151 a week, we may be eligible for £81.90 a week.
If we’re providing 20 hours of unpaid care a week, Carer’s Credits will help fill the National Insurance gaps to ensure we have enough credits for our State Pension later on (as we won’t be working enough hours to build this). We’ll automatically get this if we receive Carer’s Allowance.
If we’re on a low income and receiving Universal Credit, we may be entitled to an additional £185.86 a month for looking after someone. This is known as the Carer’s Element of Universal Credit. It’s worth checking with the Universal Credit team to see how it’ll work for us.
This is a benefit for the person we care for if they’ve reached state pension age and have a physical or mental health disability. It's a payment to help with the extra care needs they may have.
If we're caring for someone who is under 16, they may be eligible for Disability Living Allowance or Child Disability Payment in Scotland.
☐ Personal Independence Payment
If the person we care for is over 16 (or of state pension age), they may be eligible for a Personal Independence Payment (PIP). PIP can help with the extra costs of living and there are two components: A daily living part, to help with everyday tasks, and a mobility part for help with getting around.
☐ Direct payments from a Carer’s Assessment
A Carer’s Assessment with our local council can open doors to more help, including with the costs of caring. This could be in the form of Direct Payments - a one-off payment to us to either help us take breaks, pay for driving lessons or other ways depending on our needs as carers.
☐ Grants from our local council
Sometimes, our local council may offer grants to help with the costs of caring, such as home adaptations or equipment. It’s also helpful to know that we don’t have to pay VATs on adaptations if the person we care for has a disability - also known as a VAT relief.
It’s worth checking with the council and our local Carers Support Organisation. Turn2Us also has a helpful tool to help us search for local grants.
If we’re on a low income and claiming a benefit, we may be eligible for a Council Tax reduction. Depending on where we live, our councils will have a different way of offering these so it’s worth checking.
There are three main heating benefits from the UK Government that we may be eligible for; The Warm Home Discount, the Winter Fuel Payment, and the Cold Weather Payment. We dive into all the “what, hows, and whys” in our guide here.
Make sure that we’re saving where we can with a list of places offering money off for carers here. See the full Carers’ Guide to suggested outing destinations across the UK.
I receive a State Pension (65 or over)
If our State Pension is less than the £81.90 a week and we are providing 35 hours or more of care per week, then we can receive Carer’s Allowance as a “top up” to make up for the difference. If our State Pension is more than £81.90, we won’t be entitled to Carer’s Allowance.
If we have a physical or mental health disability and need more help, we may be entitled to Attendance Allowance. Attendance Allowance has two different rates depending on the extent of our own care needs.
The person we care for may also be entitled to Attendance Allowance, if they have a disability. We can receive Carer’s Allowance and Attendance Allowance.
If we're caring for someone who is under 16, they may be eligible for Disability Living Allowance or Child Disability Payment in Scotland.
☐ Personal Independence Payment
If the person we care for is over 16 (or of state pension age), they may be eligible for a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) under certain circumstances. PIP can help with the extra costs of living and there are two components: A daily living part, to help with everyday tasks, and a mobility part for help with getting around.
☐ Pension Credit - The Carer Addition (also known as a ‘carer premium’)
If we’re on a low income, we may be entitled to Pension Credit - separate from State Pension. This is extra money to help with our living costs such as housing or rent. As it’s means tested, it’s also important to note that State Pension, any other pensions, and Carer’s Allowance count as income if we’re receiving any of these.
If we’re on a low income and claiming a benefit, we may be eligible for a Council Tax reduction. Depending on where we live, our councils will have a different way of offering these so it’s worth checking.
There are three main heating benefits from the UK Government that we may be eligible for; The Warm Home Discount, the Winter Fuel Payment, and the Cold Weather Payment. We dive into all the “what, hows, and whys” in our guide here.
☐ Direct payments from a Carer’s Assessment
A Carer’s Assessment with our local council can open doors to more help, including with the costs of caring. This could be in the form of Direct Payments - a one-off payment to us to either help us take breaks, pay for driving lessons or other ways depending on our needs as carers.
☐ Grants from our local council
Sometimes, our local council may offer grants to help with the costs of caring, such as home adaptations or equipment. It’s also helpful to know that we don’t have to pay VATs on adaptations if the person we care for has a disability - also known as a VAT relief.
It’s worth checking with the council and our local Carers Support Organisation. Turn2Us also has a helpful tool to help us search for local grants.
Make sure that we’re saving where we can with a list of places offering money off for carers here. See the full Carers’ Guide to suggested outing destinations across the UK.
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