An unpaid carer is someone who provides unpaid help to a friend or family member needing support, perhaps due to illness, older age, disability, a mental health condition, or an addiction. Informal carers provide invaluable assistance to the people they look after. While this can often be a rewarding experience, it can also be very demanding and, for many carers, detrimental to their physical and mental well-being
Department of Health and Social Care
Caring for a loved one can be one of the most fulfilling yet challenging roles a person can take on. While many individuals see their efforts as acts of love and duty, they may not realise that these tasks identify them as unpaid (informal) carers. Recognising this role is essential, not only for accessing financial and practical support but also for safeguarding your own well-being. This guide aims to help you identify yourself as a carer and explore the benefits available to you.
All Information provided is correct for England
Cenus 2021 Report
According to the 2021 Census, there are approximately 5 million unpaid carers (informal carers) in England and Wales. However, these figures only represent those who have formally identified themselves as carers.
From those who are identified 28% of people with caring responsibilities were in poverty in 2021/22, because of their limited ability to work (JRF Foundation).
In many cases, especially when supporting someone with a progressive health decline, it can take up to three years for individuals to recognise and identify themselves as informal carers. This delay often stems from the belief that caregiving is simply a natural act of love and duty, rather than a defined role or job title.
Recognising yourself as a carer early on is crucial. Doing so can:
- Open the door to financial support and benefits, such as Carer’s Allowance.
- Provide access to practical resources and assistance for both the carer and the person receiving care.
- Help prevent carer burnout by connecting you with support networks and respite services.
How Can You Tell You Are an Informal Carer?
Are you providing regular care to someone? This could be a family member, friend, or neighbour who needs support due to illness, disability, or age-related issues.
Carers help with:
- Washing and Dressing
- Grooming
- Administering Medicines
- Mobility Support
- Running Errands
- Travelling to Appointments
- Shopping, Cleaning, and Laundry
- Organising Appointments
- Paying Bills and Managing Finances
Carers can also provide emotional support by:
- Sitting with someone to keep them company
- Watching over someone who cannot be left alone
What Benefits Are Available to You as an Unpaid Carer?
Some benefits overlap with those available to individuals with disabilities, depending on your financial situation. This section focuses specifically on benefits designed to help you as an unpaid carer in England.
Carer Allowance:
A UK benefit designed to support individuals who provide unpaid care for someone with substantial caring needs.
Eligibility:
- Age 16 and over
- Not in full time education
- Individuals who spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone with substantial care needs.
- The person being cared for must be in receipt of certain disability benefits
- NOT MEANS-TESTED on savings or unearned income. However must not earn more then £151 per week after tax, NI and expenditure deductions.
Additionally, receiving Carer’s Allowance can impact other benefits you or the person you care for receive. Contact Citizens Advice for further advise and information.
More Information
Carer’s Credit:
A National Insurance credit designed to help individuals who provide unpaid care for at least 20 hours a week maintain their National Insurance record. This is crucial for protecting future entitlement to the State Pension and certain other benefits.
Eligibility:
- Age 16 and over and below state pension age.
- You are caring for one or more person for at least 20 hours a week.
- NOT MEANS-TESTED
The person you care for must receive one of the following benefit:
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) care component at the middle or highest rate
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) daily living component
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Child Disability Payment (CDP) care component at the middle or highest rate
- Adult Disability Payment daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate
More Information
Pension Credit:
A benefit for individuals designed to supplement their income to a minimum guaranteed level. For carers, Pension Credit includes an additional amount known as the ‘Carer Addition.’
Eligibility:
- State pension age
- Provide care for at least 35 hours per week to someone receiving a qualifying disability benefit
- MEANS-TESTED
More Information
Universal Credit (UC):
Provides financial support to individuals and families on a low income or out of work. For carers, UC includes a specific component known as the Carer Element.
Eligibility:
- Over 18 years old and below state pension age
- Have savings and capital below £16,000
- MEANS-TESTED
Carer Element:
- Provide care for at least 35 hours per week for a person receiving a qualifying disability benefit.
- Report your caring responsibilities to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) when applying for or updating your Universal Credit claim.
Please note that receiving the Carer Element may affect the benefits of the person you care for, such as their entitlement to the Severe Disability Premium. Contact Citizens Advice for further advise and information.
More Information
Council Tax:
If a carer is residing with the person they care for, they may be eligible for a Council Tax discount. If eligible, carers are ‘disregarded’ for Council Tax purposes, meaning they are not counted when calculating the number of adults in the household. This disregard can lead to a reduction in the Council Tax bill. If one adult is counted as living in the property, a 25% discount is applied and if all residents are disregarded, a 50% discount is applicable.
Eligibility:
- Must care for at least 35 hours a week
- Live in the same property as the person you care for
- You are NOT the spouse, partner, or parent (if the person cared for is under 18) of the individual cared for
The person you care for must receive one of the following benefit:
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) care component at the middle or highest rate
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) daily living component
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
More Information
It is important to note that specific criteria may vary on council policies. Please contact your council directly. Find your local council here : Apply for Council Tax Reduction – GOV.UK
Winter Fuel Payment
Winter Fuel Payment: Provides a tax-free payment to help with heating costs during the winter.
- Individuals born on or before 23 September 1958
- if you are receipt of one of the following benefits: Pension credit, universal credit, employment and support allowance or if you receive child tax credit/working tax credit with an income of 26,000 or below.
- MEANS-TESTED
More Information
Potential Grant for families and unpaid carers.
These resources can provide valuable financial and practical support to help families and carers manage their responsibilities more effectively.
Carers Assessment:
An evaluation conducted by your local council to understand the support you need as an unpaid carer. It focuses on how your caring responsibilities affect your well-being, employment, social activities, and personal relationships, providing an opportunity to discuss the challenges you face and identify services or assistance that can help you in your role. Depending on the outcome, you may also be eligible for a personal budget or carer’s grant, offering financial support to ease the demands of caregiving and improve your overall quality of life.
The assessment might recommend various forms of support, including:
-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
Eligibility:
More Information
To apply contact adult social services at your local council or if you are a parent or a carer for a child, contact the children with disabilities department.
Disabled Facilities Grant:
A program administered by local authorities in England, designed to help eligible individuals with disabilities make necessary adaptations to their homes, enabling them to live more independently and safely. Maximum grant available per application is £30,000
Eligibility:
- You must have one of the following physical disability, age-related needs, autistic, sensory impairment, learning disabilities, cognitive impairment, progressive conditions, terminal illness or mental health conditions.
- Intend to reside in the property during the grant period
- Be an owner-occupier, a private tenant, a landlord with a disabled tenant, a local authority tenant, or a housing association tenant
- MEANS-TESTED on the income and saving above the threshold of £6000 of the disabled person, their spouse or partner. Children under the age 18 are NOT MEANS-TESTED.
It is important to note that specific criteria may vary on council policies. Please contact your Local council directly. Further information : Disabled Facilities Grants: Overview – GOV.UK
Family Fund:
A UK-based charity dedicated to providing grants and support to families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people. The child must have a disability or serious illness that affects their daily life. The Family Fund assesses the level of support the child requires in various areas, such as personal care, supervision, mobility, communication, and learning.
Eligibility:
- The child much be 17 years or below
- The child must have reside in the house for at least 6 months
- Family is on a low income or on benefits such as universal credit.
More Information
Practical Steps After Identifying as an Informal Carer
Educate Yourself: Learn about your loved one’s condition to understand their needs better.
Understand the Prognosis: Knowing what to expect helps with preparation and planning.
Explore Benefits: Research financial and practical benefits available to both you and your loved one.
Utilise Resources: Find support networks, respite services, and other resources to ease caregiving responsibilities.
Inform Your GP: Register with your GP as an informal carer to access additional support and services.
Prioritise Self-Care: Prevent burnout by caring for your own well-being. For more tips, read this article: Stay Ahead of Carer Burnout: Essential Tips to Stay Strong
Take care of Yourself
Identifying as an informal carer is the first step. Next, understanding your loved one’s condition and prognosis is crucial. Organise yourself well—a calendar can be incredibly helpful, as there will likely be many appointments to manage. The level of care you provide and your loved one’s specific needs will determine the benefits, resources, and external support available to you.
As a carer, it is extremely important to prioritise your own physical and mental well-being. Taking care of yourself is not only vital for your health but also for those who rely on you.
Further reading including a benefits calculator
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