Support for Carers

Under the Care Act 2014, if you are providing or intending to provide care for another adult, you are entitled to a free Carer's Assessment from the local council. This is separate from the care needs assessment carried out for the person you care for.

The assessment looks at your own health and wellbeing, the impact of caring on your life (including work, relationships, and leisure), and what support would help you continue caring or reduce the impact on you. The council must consider not just whether your needs are being met, but whether you are willing and able to continue caring.

If your needs meet the eligibility threshold, the council must provide or arrange support for you. This could include help with housework, respite care, training, or signposting to community groups. You may also receive a personal budget as a direct payment.

Carer's Allowance (CA) is a weekly benefit of £83.30 (2025/26) paid to people who provide at least 35 hours of care per week to a severely disabled person who receives either Attendance Allowance, the middle or higher rate care component of Disability Living Allowance, or the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment.

To claim CA you must:

• Be aged 16 or over;
• Not be in full-time education (21+ hours per week);
• Earn no more than £204 net per week from employment (after deductions for care costs).

Carer's Allowance is taxable. It overlaps with State Pension — if your State Pension is the same or more than Carer's Allowance, you cannot receive CA on top, but you may have an "underlying entitlement" which can increase means-tested benefits like Pension Credit or Universal Credit.

Respite care is temporary care for the person you look after so that you can have a break. This could range from a few hours of sitting service each week to a short residential stay for the cared-for person, or a funded holiday for you.

Your local council may fund respite care following a Carer's Assessment if your need for a break is assessed as eligible. Some councils run specific carer support services, including emergency care cover if you are suddenly unable to care (e.g., due to illness).

Carers UK, Age UK, and local carer organisations can provide information about respite options in your area. Some hospices offer respite care for people with life-limiting conditions.

If you are a working carer, you have several employment rights:

• Right to request flexible working: All employees have the right to request flexible working from day one of employment. Your employer must consider the request seriously and can only refuse on specified business grounds.
• Carer's Leave Act 2023: From 6 April 2024, employees have the right to take up to one week's unpaid carer's leave per year to arrange or provide care for a dependant with a long-term care need. This is a day-one right.
• Protection from discrimination: You may be protected from unfair treatment at work as a carer under the Equality Act 2010 in certain circumstances (known as "associative discrimination").

Acas and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) provide free guidance for both employees and employers on supporting working carers.