Carers
Are you a carer?
A carer is someone who looks after someone else, without payment. This could be a friend, neighbour or relative who cannot manage on their own because of frailty, illness or disability.
The term 'carer' does not include care worker or anyone who is paid to look after someone. It also does not include volunteers and foster carers.
The term 'carer' also includes young carers and parent carers.
By young carer we mean carers who are under the age of 18. The person they look after is often a parent, but can be a brother or sister, grandparent or other relative.
By parent carer we mean a parent of a disabled child. Parents will often see themselves as a parent rather than a carer, but their child will have additional care needs and may be entitled to additional services.
For more information about what we can do for carers, take a look at the links below:
- carers assessments
- carers allowance
- caring for someone with a mental illness
- other sources of information for carers
- short break schemes and services for carers
- a break from caring
- having your say.
There are many other local and national organisations that can help carers.
We also publish a guide to a wide range of benefits you may be entitled to. You can download it or order a printed copy from our Publications List.
Carers set to benefit from improved employment support
With effect from 7 December 2009 extra employment support will be available for carers. It will offer carers the choice to combine paid work with their caring and aims to reduce financial hardship.
The improved support will also:
- ensure that carers have access to appropriate employment programmes
- offer funding for replacement care when carers wish to participate in other approved activities
- see a Care Partnership Manager active in every Jobcentre Plus district
- introduce specialist training for advisors who work with carers
Jobcentre Plus customers with caring responsibilities will also be able to access replacement care funding while they are taking part in employment training.
Carers and work
Our Welfare Rights team have produced a new factsheet about carers employment rights.
