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Money and legal

Easy-to-understand finance, benefits, tax credits and legal advice for carers

Carers' benefits

As a carer you may be able to claim several benefits, and receiving one can mean you qualify for others. Follow our guides to the main types of benefit you can claim.

Benefits for the person you
care for

The person you're looking after may be entitled to benefits because of their condition. Find out more in this section.

Legal affairs

If the person you care for loses their mental capacity, you may need to manage their legal affairs for them. Some advance planning can make this easier.

Other benefits

You and the person you care for could be entitled to many benefits that aren't directly connected to your caring role. These include benefits that can top up your income.

Household finance

Carers and the people they look after may be entitled to help with household finances, including discounts and exemptions from Council Tax and utility bills.

Social Fund

The Social Fund may be able to help you if you need help with costs that you can't meet through benefit payments, such as when you are pregnant, moving home or someone dies.

Tax credits

If you have don't have much money and have children or are in paid employment, you may be entitled to tax credits to boost your income.

Death and benefits

When the person you care for dies, their benefits will stop and your own benefits could be affected. Find out about what changes you may face, and new benefits you may wish to claim.

Last reviewed: 21/09/2011

Next review due: 21/09/2013

Call Carers Direct on 0808 802 0202

Free, confidential information and advice for carers.

Lines are open 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday (except bank holidays), 11am to 4pm at weekends. Calls are free from UK landlines and mobiles or you can request a free call back.

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