Links that will help you and the person that you care for receive financial help and support.
Benefits for carers
If you are over 16 years old, you may be eligible for Carer’s allowance to help you look after someone with substantial caring needs, if you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for them. Carer’s Allowance is taxable. It can also affect your other benefits.
You could get Carer’s credit if you’re caring for someone for at least 20 hours a week, and are over 16 years of age and under State Pension age. Carer’s Credit is a National Insurance credit which helps build your entitlement to the basic State Pension and additional State Pension.
You can also find out more from Durham County Council’s Benefits for carers page.
Energy saving grants and loans
Visit the Energy Saving Trust website for details of how they can help you save money on your energy bills.
Other forms of financial help, carers may be entitled to
Information from Carers UK: financial help.
Gov.uk – benefits
Turn2us
Turn2us is a charitable service which helps people access the money available to them – through welfare benefits, grants and other help.
Welfare Rights
Durham County Council’s Benefits advice or help with a benefits appeal service can help with questions and problems on a wide range of benefits and entitlements, give you information on what benefits you might be entitled to and how to claim them.
Money Advice Service
Find out what benefits you’re entitled to and learn about Universal Credit on the Money Advice Service: benefits information.
Household Support Fund
The Household Support Fund (HSF) has been provided by the Department for Work and Pensions to deliver support to County Durham’s most vulnerable households.
