If you are a carer, you may find yourself:
- Unable to work
- Living on less money
- Faced with decisions that will affect your money in the future, such as decisions about your pension
- Experiencing poverty because you are a long-term carer
- Needing to sort out debt problems.
Many carers do not claim enough benefits or discounts. You can get more details or advice on benefits for yourself or the person you care for from the organisations on the Help page.
The welfare benefits system
The welfare benefits system often changes and can be complicated.
Below are a few examples of benefits or funds.
For carers:
Carer's allowance
Claiming carer's allowance can help you with national insurance contributions and help you build up a second state pension.
However, carer's allowance is complicated. It can affect other benefits that you and the person you care for claim. It is important to get advice from organisations that specialise in welfare benefits advice. There are contact numbers for these below.
For people who are ill or disabled:
- Attendance allowance
- Incapacity benefit
- Disability living allowance
- Income support
- The independent living fund
- The family fund trust.
For people living on low income:
- Income support or the minimum income guarantee
- Council tax benefit
- Housing benefit
- Child tax credit
- Pension credit
- Social fund grants and loans
- NHS free prescriptions and eye tests, and help with dental treatment, spectacles and fares to hospital.
Financial difficulties
Some carers also find that they have problems with debts or big bills. These could be electricity or gas bills but might also include mortgage and rent arrears, personal loans or something else.
If you find yourself in financial difficulties, the organisations listed below may be able to advise you.
Camden Community Law Centre
Tel: 020 7284 6510
Legal/debt advice.
Mary Ward Legal Centre
Tel: 020 7831 7079
Legal/debt advice.
National Debtline
Tel: 0808 808 4000
Telephone Advice
Other organisations to contact
Disability in Camden
Advice for carers of disabled people
Tel: 020 7387 1466
CAB Housebound Service
Financial and legal advice
Tel: 020 7428 1616
Holborn CAB ⁄ Kentish Town CAB ⁄ Kilburn CAB
Tel: 08451 202 965
Carers UK
Carers' Helpline
Tel: 0800 808 7777
Benefits Helpline
Advice and help on benefits
Tel: 0800 882 200
Age Concern Camden
Information and advocacy
Tel: 020 7387 3777