How to get financial support
If you’re finding it
difficult to cope as a carer, don’t wait until a crisis before
asking for help.
The first thing you should do is to get
assessed as a carer.
Contact your council and they will organise to
have a chat with you, probably in your own home.
Your council will assess the whole situation and work with you
to draw up a plan.
You will probably be entitled to a care allowance and there
could be other benefits waiting for you to claim them.
Your council will also help to ensure that the person you’re
caring for is receiving all benefits that are due them.
The home of the care user could be adapted to make caring
easier.
Other care workers may be sent in to help, or the care user
could be taken off to a day centre from time to time, to give you a
rest. You could even be helped to take a short break.