Last updated:
18th July 2023
Legal and money matters for carers
Find out about support available to carers
Your rights as a carer
You have the right to have a carer's assessment where you appear to have needs regardless of the amount of care you provide.
Benefits and financial help
Types of benefits
There are 3 main types of benefits:
- Benefits if you're not in paid employment – 'earnings replacement benefits'
- Benefits that help pay for extra costs, such as those relating to disability or having a child
- Benefits and tax credits that top up low income if you're in work – 'means-tested benefits'
Read about the 3 benefits for carers on the NHS website.
Carers allowance
Carer's Allowance is the main state benefit for carers. Find out if you're eligible and how to claim on the UK Government website.
Carers credit
You could get Carer’s Credit if you’re caring for someone for at least 20 hours a week. Find out if you're eligible and how to claim on the UK Government website.
Benefit calculators
Check if you're entitled to benefits using one of these independent benefits calculator websites:
Financial information
Search the community directory for services that provide:
Financial information and assistance
Personal budgets for carers
Carers will receive a personal budget, which is a statement showing the cost of meeting their needs, as part of their support plan.
The person you care for can't make their own decisions
A person may lack ‘capacity’ to make decisions on their own. This could be because of illness or disability, or the effects of drugs or alcohol. While the person may lack capacity to make particular decisions at particular times, it does not necessarily mean that they lack all capacity to make any decisions at all.
Read our page about what if someone can't make their own decisions.
Legal advice and assistance
Search the community directory to find services who provide legal advice and assistance:
