One of the biggest challenges unpaid carers face is coming up with the funds to take a break or pay for expenses related to their work. Below is a guide to navigating the often-complicated landscape of grants and funds available to carers, both through the government and private charities. 

How can unpaid carers get a grant?

When talking about money for carers, two main types often come up: carer’s allowance and carer’s grants. The difference between them is often unclear to carers. 

• Carer's allowance is a weekly government benefit for people who care for someone unpaid at least 35 hours a week in England and Wales. To get it, carers need to apply online for the allowance. For a guide to the process, go to the government’s website. To apply from Northern Ireland, click here.

• Scotland has a different version of this benefit called the Carer Support Payment, for which carers based there can apply here.

• A carer's grant is a one-time payment from a charity or trust for a specific purpose. It’s not a government benefit. Carers need to apply or seek help to apply to each one individually through the organisation that gives the grant. Some are general; others are marked for a specific use or type of carer.

What are carer’s grants and how can I use them?

Grants vary in their amount and intended use, whether to allay financial hardship general or to pay a specific cost. Some common uses include:

• Replacing essential household items (washing machine, oven, bed).

• Money for a short break, respite, or wellbeing activities (gym membership, course fees). 

• Home adaptations, mobility equipment, or home repairs.

• Driving lessons or help with car repairs to help with the caring role.

To get a grant, you’ll often need to specify exactly what you want to use it for and how much you expect the item or service to cost. The more specific you are, the better.

Do I need to apply for other benefits before I can get a grant?

Some grants also require that you’ve sought every other benefit for which you are eligible before applying, especially carer’s allowance or the equivalent benefit in Scotland. They may also ask for information about your financial and family situation and the type of care you provide. Rules vary widely, so make sure to read them carefully before applying.

Can I get a grant if I receive carer's allowance?

It depends. For grants that aren’t means-tested, you are likely eligible even if you receive carer's allowance.

How do I search online for carer's grants?

Turn2us and Lightning Reach cover many grants. Both serve as databases for different types of grants, so carers should make sure to filter their search by situation and location. You can also contact your local carer centre for help navigating these tools.

Other search tools focus on more specific types of grants. Disability Grants collects those for people with disabilities and their carers. Carers Trust also offers grants depending on the carer’s location through their Carers Trust Network Partners. To find if your local area might be able to give you a grant, search of their website here.

Another category of grant is available through local councils specifically for someone caring for a disabled person – the Disabled Facilities Grant, which focuses on improving your home environment to better ensure you can provide care. For more information on how to apply and eligibility, click here. 

Some grant applications need to be made through a social worker, community nurse, or other partner organisation, such as the Ogilvie Charity’s fund for respite holidays. Make sure you check whether you can make an application yourself or whether it must come through a care support professional.

How long will it take to receive a decision on a carer’s grant? When will I receive money?

The timeline varies widely depending on who provides the grant. As a rule of thumb, some charities and councils can take 6 to 8 weeks to provide a decision. Make sure to budget plenty of time if you need advance payment and to get relevant documents like your employment details together. You can usually apply for more than one grant at a time.

What information might I need to send to apply? How do local councils and charities decide to whom to award grants?

Some common things agencies might ask for on an application form include: proof of your caring role; details of your financial circumstances like income, savings, your national insurance number, or even your latest payslip; details about both you and the person you care for; and a clear explanation of what the grant is for and the difference it will make. Requirements vary widely.

Again, as noted above, there are some grants carers cannot apply for themselves. Make sure to check whether you need to apply through a health worker or support agency or whether you can apply yourself.

I’ve heard about a £500 grant for carers. How do I apply for a grant?

The availability of a £500 grant is a common misconception among carers. While that amount or more of financial support might be available through some of the options listed above, there’s no single, UK-wide pool of money to which all carers are entitled. Most grants are closer to £200 to £300.

The myth of the £500 grant for carers might refer to

• Government schemes in devolved nations (like the previous Carer's Allowance Supplement in Scotland or specific Welsh Government payments). These are often limited to those receiving a carer’s allowance.

• Time-limited emergency money that may appear during crises.

Additional government funding will often go automatically to those receiving a carer’s allowance. Otherwise, the best option for financial assistance is to check regularly through local authorities or databases like Turn2us.

Are there grants specifically for respite care or a break?

Some grants allow you to use the money for respite care or a break, but if you don’t want to wait for a decision on whether you’re eligible for funding, Carefree offers 1-2 night breaks for full-time carers for just £33. Hotels donate unused capacity all around the UK, and our tool matches available rooms with your preferred location and timing. We’ve delivered more than 15,000 breaks so far.

For more information and to sign up, see our website here. It takes less than a minute to see if you’re eligible. To read carer’s stories of breaks with us, head to our blog, The Notebook.