Carers Direct

Welcome to Carers Direct: information, advice and support for carers

Help with winter fuel bills

It's cold outside. If you receive benefits or have reached pension age, you might be entitled to a little extra help to go towards the cost of heating your home during periods of very cold weather.

Read more about cold weather benefits

Start here

If you're not sure where to start, read our quick guide to the Carers Direct website and how it can help you.

Money and legal

Help claiming benefits, looking after your bank balance and understanding the legal issues of caring.

Guide to caring

A step-by-step guide to the practical help, support and advice that's on offer to carers, and how to get it.

Young carers

Under 18 and looking after someone? Find out here what help is available.

Your wellbeing

As a carer it's important to take time to look after yourself. Get advice on keeping fit and healthy.

Work and study

Want to combine working or studying with your role as a carer? This advice can help you manage the two.

Carers' lives

Real stories of how carers have got the help they need and where they have found local support.

Understanding carers

Advice for anyone who knows a carer, works with carers, or might be a carer in future.

Caring with Confidence

Learn how to tackle the problems you face through this simple course for carers.

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.

You can also ask for a call back in one of more than 170 languages including ربي, বাংলা, 中文, Français, ગુજરાતી, Polski, Português, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ, Soomaali, Español, Türkçe and .اردو.