GET THE RIGHT HELP FOR CARING HEROES
MILLIONS of people provide unpaid care for family, friends or neighbours, yet we hear little about what financial help is available to support these heroes.
If you are a carer, perhaps of an elderly relative or a disabled child, make sure you get all the benefits you’re entitled to. You are entitled to carer’s allowance (£69.70 a week) if you look after someone for more than 35 hours a week. Your National Insurance should be paid while you’re a carer, too.
You could also qualify for the Warm Home Discount of £140 over the winter which is taken directly off your electricity bill.
Contact your local council for a Carer’s Assessment if you haven’t had one. You could be offered all sorts of help, including respite care, support from home visits or a befriending service, and, crucially, extra financial support.
The person you care for could qualify for a Blue Badge for parking their car. This means you could both also benefit from Blue Badge discounts such as a free Carer’s Ticket ( alongside a discounted seat for the disabled person) at some theatres.
Many charities that support carers offer discounted or free holidays. This could be a break just for you to get away, or a holiday for you both to take together. There’s more information on the NHS website.
You can also get support and information from groups such as Carers UK, where you can meet and chat with other carers. Call them on 0808 808 7777.
For more targeted help, try Age UK on 0800 678 1602, Carers Direct, which is run by the NHS (0300 123 1053), and Family Action which offers support to parents and carers of children: 0808 802 6666.