Published 14 September 2024 · Last updated 27 August 2026
Caring for a family member or friend can be one of the most meaningful things you do, and also one of the most demanding. This guide explains the support available to unpaid carers in the UK, the benefits you may be able to claim, and some practical ways to make caring at home safer and a little easier.
What counts as being a carer
You are a carer if you give unpaid help to a partner, relative, friend or neighbour who could not manage without you. That might mean helping with washing and dressing, cooking, shopping, managing medication and appointments, or simply keeping someone company and safe. Many people do not think of themselves as carers at first; they are just helping someone they love. Recognising the role matters, because it is the first step to getting support.
Money and benefits you may be able to claim
The main benefit for unpaid carers is Carer’s Allowance. From April 2026 it is worth £86.45 a week. To qualify you must spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who receives a qualifying disability benefit, be aged 16 or over, and not be in full-time education. You can still claim if you work, as long as you earn no more than £204 a week after tax, National Insurance and certain expenses. Carer’s Allowance is not means tested, so your savings do not affect it, and you can apply on GOV.UK.
If you cannot get Carer’s Allowance, perhaps because you earn slightly too much, you may still qualify for Carer’s Credit. This protects your National Insurance record, and therefore your State Pension, when you care for at least 20 hours a week. It is worth checking both.
Ask your council for a carer’s assessment
Under the Care Act 2014, every adult carer in England is entitled to a carer’s assessment from their local council, whatever your income or savings. It is a free conversation about how caring affects your health, your work, your sleep and your own time. If the assessment shows you need support, the council has a duty to help, which might mean equipment, help in the home, or a break from caring. You can ask adult social services at your council for one, and you do not have to wait until you are struggling to do so.
Taking a break: respite care
Everyone needs time off, and carers are no exception. Respite care ranges from a few hours while someone sits with the person you care for, to a short stay in a care home so you can rest or go away. If the council has assessed you as needing a break, it may help with the cost. Charities including Carers UK and Carers Trust also run small grant schemes for respite. Arranging cover before you reach breaking point is far easier than doing it in a crisis.
Making the home safer and easier
A few practical changes can reduce the strain on both of you. Clear trailing wires and loose rugs, make sure rooms and stairs are well lit, and fit grab rails where they are needed. If the stairs have become difficult, a stairlift can help the person you care for keep using the whole house and lower the risk of a fall. Costs vary by model and staircase, so it is worth comparing a few quotes, and grants may be available towards the cost.
Looking after yourself
It is easy to put your own health last. Try to keep your own GP appointments, eat properly, and stay in touch with friends. Talking to other carers, in person or online, helps you feel less alone and is often where the most useful tips come from. If you feel low, exhausted or overwhelmed, tell your GP. Carer burnout is common, and there is help available.
Where to get more support
Several organisations offer free advice: Carers UK and Carers Trust for practical and emotional support, Age UK for older people and their carers, and the NHS website for guidance on assessments and benefits. Your GP surgery can also add you to its carers register, which can lead to extra support such as more flexible appointments.
Getting started
You do not have to work all of this out at once. A good first step is to claim any benefits you are entitled to, ask your council for a carer’s assessment, and contact one carers’ organisation. Each of those opens the door to more support, and to looking after yourself as well as the person you care for.
Explore more resources for carers
- Guide to hospital discharge planning
- How to help your parents enjoy retirement
- What causes mobility issues in the elderly
- Stairlift grants and financial help
Related buying guides: transfer boards.
Frequently asked questions
What am I entitled to as a carer?
A carer’s assessment from your local council, which is a legal right regardless of the level of care you provide or your income. It looks at your needs, not the person you care for, and can lead to practical support and respite.
Can I get paid for caring?
Carer’s Allowance is available if you care for at least 35 hours a week for somebody receiving a qualifying disability benefit, subject to an earnings limit. It is modest, and it interacts with other benefits, so check before claiming rather than after.
How do I get a break?
Ask specifically about respite in your carer’s assessment, and ask early rather than at breaking point. Options include sitting services, day services, short stays and direct payments used to arrange your own cover.
What if the person refuses help?
An adult with capacity can refuse support, and that has to be respected even when it is hard to watch. What you can do is keep offering, reduce the risk where you can, and get advice about capacity if there is genuine reason to doubt understanding.
How do I look after my own back?
Do not lift. If a transfer feels like a lift, it needs equipment and training, and both are available through community equipment services. Carer back injuries are one of the commonest reasons care at home stops being possible.
Where can I get support from other carers?
Carers UK and local carers centres run helplines, groups and advice services, and many people find the practical knowledge in a carers group more useful than anything official. Asking early costs nothing.
Published 14 September 2024 · Last updated 27 August 2026