Finding the right financial support can feel confusing, especially when you are already managing a caring role. There may be benefits, social care options, grants or paid support available, but it is not always easy to know where to start or what you might be eligible for.
To make things easier, we have put together financial checklists for carers to help you explore the main options and plan your next steps. Each item links to external resources to help you further, and all checklists are available for download.
We do not provide financial or benefits advice, but we can share useful information, practical suggestions from other carers, and prompts to help you think about what support may be available.
If you need expert guidance, we recommend contacting our Advice service.
I’m working age (15-66) and in work
Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment in Scotland
If you provide 35 hours of unpaid care a week and earn less than £196 a week, you may be eligible for £86.45 a week.
Carer’s Credit
If you provide 20 hours of unpaid care a week, Carer’s Credit can help fill National Insurance gaps so you have enough credits for your State Pension later on. This may help if you are not working enough hours to build these credits. You will usually get this automatically if you receive Carer’s Allowance.
Carer’s Element
If you are on a low income and receive Universal Credit, you 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 is worth checking with the Universal Credit team to see how it would work for you.
Attendance Allowance
This is a benefit for the person you care for, if they have reached State Pension age and have a physical or mental health disability. It is a payment to help with the extra care needs they may have.
Disability Living Allowance
If you care 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 you care for is over 16, or over State Pension age in some circumstances, they may be eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). PIP can help with the extra costs of living. It has two parts: a daily living part to help with everyday tasks, and a mobility part to help with getting around.
Direct payments from a Carer’s Assessment
A Carer’s Assessment with your local council can open doors to more help, including support with the costs of caring. This could be through Direct Payments, such as a one-off payment to help you take breaks, pay for driving lessons, or meet other needs linked to your caring role.
Grants from your local council
Your local council may offer grants to help with the costs of caring, such as home adaptations or equipment. If the person you care for has a disability, you may not have to pay VAT on some adaptations. This is known as VAT relief. It is worth checking with the council and your local carers’ support organisation. Turn2us also has a helpful tool to help you search for local grants.
Council Tax Discount
If you are on a low income and claim a benefit, you may be eligible for a Council Tax reduction. Each council has its own way of offering this, so it is worth checking what applies where you live.
Discounts for carers
Make sure you are saving where you can by checking places that offer discounts for carers. You can also see the full Carers’ Guide to suggested outing destinations across the UK.
I’m working age (15-66) and unable to work
Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment in Scotland
If you provide 35 hours of unpaid care a week and earn less than £196 a week, you may be eligible for £86.45 a week.
Carer’s Credit
If you provide 20 hours of unpaid care a week, Carer’s Credit can help fill National Insurance gaps so you have enough credits for your State Pension later on. This may help if you are not working enough hours to build these credits. You will usually get this automatically if you receive Carer’s Allowance.
Carer’s Element
If you are on a low income and receive Universal Credit, you 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 is worth checking with the Universal Credit team to see how it would work for you.
Attendance Allowance
This is a benefit for the person you care for, if they have reached State Pension age and have a physical or mental health disability. It is a payment to help with the extra care needs they may have.
Disability Living Allowance
If you care 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 you care for is over 16, or over State Pension age in some circumstances, they may be eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). PIP can help with the extra costs of living. It has two parts: a daily living part to help with everyday tasks, and a mobility part to help with getting around.
Direct payments from a Carer’s Assessment
A Carer’s Assessment with your local council can open doors to more help, including support with the costs of caring. This could be through Direct Payments, such as a one-off payment to help you take breaks, pay for driving lessons, or meet other needs linked to your caring role.
Grants from your local council
Your local council may offer grants to help with the costs of caring, such as home adaptations or equipment. If the person you care for has a disability, you may not have to pay VAT on some adaptations. This is known as VAT relief. It is worth checking with the council and your local carers’ support organisation. Turn2us also has a helpful tool to help you search for local grants.
Council Tax Discount
If you are on a low income and claim a benefit, you may be eligible for a Council Tax reduction. Each council has its own way of offering this, so it is worth checking what applies where you live.
Three UK heating benefits
There are three main heating benefits from the UK Government that you may be eligible for: the Warm Home Discount, the Winter Fuel Payment and the Cold Weather Payment.
Discounts for carers
Make sure you are saving where you can by checking places that offer discounts for carers. You can also see the full Carers’ Guide to suggested outing destinations across the UK.
I receive a State Pension (66 or over)
Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment in Scotland
If your State Pension is less than £86.45 a week and you provide 35 hours or more of care each week, you may be able to receive Carer’s Allowance as a top-up to make up the difference. If your State Pension is more than £86.45 a week, you will not usually be entitled to Carer’s Allowance.
Attendance Allowance
If you have a physical or mental health disability and need more help, you may be entitled to Attendance Allowance. Attendance Allowance has two different rates, depending on the level of your own care needs. The person you care for may also be entitled to Attendance Allowance if they have a disability. You can receive Carer’s Allowance and Attendance Allowance.
Disability Living Allowance
If you care 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 you care for is over 16, or over State Pension age in some circumstances, they may be eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). PIP can help with the extra costs of living. It has two parts: a daily living part to help with everyday tasks, and a mobility part to help with getting around.
Pension Credit: Carer Addition
If you are on a low income, you may be entitled to Pension Credit, which is separate from your State Pension. This is extra money to help with living costs, such as housing or rent. Pension Credit is means-tested, so your State Pension, any other pensions and Carer’s Allowance will count as income if you receive them.
Council Tax Discount
If you are on a low income and claim a benefit, you may be eligible for a Council Tax reduction. Each council has its own way of offering this, so it is worth checking what applies where you live.
Three UK heating benefits
There are three main heating benefits from the UK Government that you may be eligible for: the Warm Home Discount, the Winter Fuel Payment and the Cold Weather Payment.
Direct payments from a Carer’s Assessment
A Carer’s Assessment with your local council can open doors to more help, including support with the costs of caring. This could be through Direct Payments, such as a one-off payment to help you take breaks, pay for driving lessons, or meet other needs linked to your caring role.
Grants from your local council
Your local council may offer grants to help with the costs of caring, such as home adaptations or equipment. If the person you care for has a disability, you may not have to pay VAT on some adaptations. This is known as VAT relief. It is worth checking with the council and your local carers’ support organisation. Turn2us also has a helpful tool to help you search for local grants.
Discounts for carers
Make sure you are saving where you can by checking places that offer discounts for carers. You can also see the full Carers’ Guide to suggested outing destinations across the UK.
Benefits and savings toolkit
Use the quick benefits and savings toolkit to get financial support information tailored to your caring role, including benefits, grants, money off utility bills, support from your local council and more.
Other helpful resources
Carers Allowance
Carer’s Allowance is an £86.45 (as of April 2026) weekly benefit for anyone aged 16 or over who spends at least 35 hours each week caring for someone who themselves receive certain benefits.
You do not get paid extra if you care for more than one person. You also do not need to be related to, or even live with, the person you care for to claim.
If someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance.
More Information about The Carer’s Allowance:
- Age UK – a clear guide with general advice that is useful to all carers.
- Carers UK – includes a comprehensive guide and video
- Disability Rights UK – a general overview presented as a factsheet for easy printing
Other Financial Help
Online benefits calculators are available to help you learn what benefits you may be entitled to and how to claim for them.
You’ll need information about your:
- Current Income
- Current Expenses
- Any Savings, and
- Any benefits you currently receive.
You can also check that the person you are caring for is receiving everything they are entitled to.
If you pay council tax and are on a low income you can apply for council tax relief. You will need to do this through your local city or district council. Feel free to reach out for support, or mention this specifically in your carers assessment conversation as a concern.
For information about deals available only to carers, visit our Offers and Discounts for Carers section.
