How often do you feel stressed about money, but push the thought aside just to get on with your day? You’re not alone. According to Carers UK’s State of Caring 2024 survey, over half of carers (51%) said their financial situation is having a negative impact on their mental health, and 61% feel stressed or anxious when they think about money.
Financial Awareness Day (14 August) is a timely reminder that money doesn’t just affect your bank balance, it affects your health and wellbeing and your ability to cope. When you feel financially secure, you’re more likely to feel safe and in control, but when money is tight or uncertain it can quietly chip away at you.
When you’re caring for a family member or friend there’s lots of ways that you might be impacted financially whether that’s through:
- Reduced working hours or leaving employment
- Increased household and care-related expenses
- Lack of pension contributions or long-term financial planning
However, there are different types of financial support and benefits that you may be entitled to including:
- Carer’s Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Attendance Allowance (for the cared for person)
- Council Tax reductions
According to DWP benefits statistics published this month (August 2025), the total number of people claiming Carer’s Allowance at February 2025 was 1.4 million, 1.9% lower than the year before. If you think you might be entitled to Carers Allowance or any of the above there are local organisations that can help guide you through the application process.
How Carers Together can help
One route for getting support and finding out more is to go through Carers Together’s Financial Wellbeing Service. This is a free service designed to support unpaid carers with a range of money-related challenges that can arise from their caring role.
They can help you:
- Find out what financial support you’re entitled to
- Navigate the benefits system
- Maximise your income by ensuring you receive the right benefits
- Complete benefit forms for yourself or the person you care for
Carers Financial Wellbeing Officer
Andrew Hopper is the Carers Financial Wellbeing Officer at Carers Together. We caught up with him to find out more about his role and the support he offers.
Can you tell us more about your role?
“I support carers and their cared for with providing financial information including energy enquiries, liaising with the relevant authorities on behalf of clients, specifically in benefits, council tax, and supporting with forms.
My role is split between providing information and resolving issues, and assisting clients with applying for benefits. The advice will be offered depending on a client's needs, but in most cases, it's an interactive phone call to discuss things and then I offer practical information and support.”
What’s the biggest challenge carers face when it comes to their finances?
“In my experience, the two biggest challenges for carers around finances is a lack of clear, understandable information, and the stress and anxiety of the benefits system.”
What advice would you give to people when it comes to their finances?
“Benefits are complex and there will be several agencies in every area that offer advice and support. Please seek advice, as a single contact can significantly open doors to a better quality of life. Don't assume that you have to deal with this on your own.”
Who can access the service?
“We will support everyone, this can include signposting or referrals to partner organisations, who have specialist advisers, or who can deal with complex or higher-level enquiries. Our partners include, the Citizens Advice Bureau, Welfare Rights teams, specific Local Authority departments and Housing associations.”
What carers say about the support
“I just wanted to send a massive thanks to you for your help with my mum's application for higher rate attendance allowance. You made the process so much easier and really helped me with the process.”
“Just to let you know I've received a letter this morning confirming that I will be receiving attendance allowance, which is a great relief. I want to thank you very very much, for all your help and support, not to mention patience. I know I would have struggled without it.”
Real life carer stories and how the support helped them
Michelle’s story
Michelle cares for her daughter Anna, who had recently moved into a new property and hadn’t paid any council tax for seven months. She received a large bill and was told it would go to court. Anna’s illness made it difficult for her to engage with services, and Michelle didn’t know what to do.
Carers Together visited Michelle’s home, spoke with both her and Anna, and called the council. They discovered the council was waiting for benefit confirmation. Michelle had already posted the documents, but they’d never been received. The team obtained copies of Anna’s award letters and emailed them directly. As a result, Anna was awarded SMI (Severe Mental Impairment) disregard, reducing her Council Tax bill to zero.
Jane’s story:
Jane cares for her mother and her adult son who has a disability causing severe incontinence. Jane explained that her water bills were very high due to the amount of washing she had and was struggling to pay them along with her other bills. Carers Together looked at the eligibility criteria for WaterSure (a scheme which helps some people with their water bills) and found that Jane qualified. They helped her apply and she received a 20% reduction in her water bills for 6 months with a review planned.
If you find yourself in an unpaid caring role it can bring all sorts of emotional, physical, and financial challenges. Prioritising your own financial wellbeing and that of the person you’re caring for is essential and there are local organisations, like Carers Together, that can offer support and guidance if you don’t want to do it on your own.
And you can find lots more information on financial support on our website here Financial Support – We Care You Care
