Being a carer for a family member

Who is considered a family carer?

According to the NHS, a family carer is anyone who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs support because of their illness, frailty, disability, mental health concerns or addiction.

It is often difficult for people to separate their care role from the existing relationship they have with the person they are caring for. Many family caregivers struggle to see themselves as carers. This often occurs because the responsibilities of caring for a loved one tend to increase gradually over time.

The majority of people will take on a carer role at some point in their lives, even if it is only for a short time. Family carers are often required to juggle their care duties with work, school or other commitments. Young carers in particular are often hesitant to share the fact that they are carers with family, friends or health professionals due to fear of separation, guilt, pride or other reasons.

If you are currently supporting or caring for a loved one, it is important that you consider your role as a carer and the resources available to you. Carer burnout and fatigue are especially common amongst family carers as they often feel guilty for seeking extra support. By ensuring your own physical and emotional needs are met, you will be able to provide the best quality care for your loved one.

What are the duties of a family carer?

Family carers take on most of the same duties and responsibilities as professional carers. The time spent being a carer for a family member varies from person to person. Some people move in with the person they are caring for while others visit them throughout the day or week.

Depending on the requirements of the person you are caring for, your responsibilities as a family carer might include:

• Household duties
• Personal care
• Medication administration and management
• Mobility support
• Cooking and meal planning
• Pet care
• Running errands
• Companionship
• Emotional support

What financial support is available to family carers?

There are many unforeseen costs to becoming a family carer. Financial concerns can be especially challenging for family carers who are often faced with having to work less in order to care for their loved ones.

Thankfully, you may be entitled to one or more government benefits to help you cover the costs. Here are the carer’s benefits that you could be entitled to and how you can get them:

Carer’s allowance

Carer’s allowance is the main state benefit for carers. It is £67.25 a week. You are entitled to carer’s allowance if you look after someone for more than 35 hours a week. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.

You may not be entitled to this allowance if you get more than £67.25 a week from some other benefits. It is still worth applying as you may have what’s called an underlying entitlement to carer’s allowance. This can help increase other benefits you’re getting.

Carer’s credit

Carer’s credit is a National Insurance (NI) contribution. It is there to make sure you do not lose out on social security benefits, such as the State Pension, because of gaps in your NI record due to caring for someone.

You may not be entitled to  Carer’s Credit if you look after someone for more than 20 hours a week and you do not get carer’s allowance.

Carer’s premium

Carer Premium is an allowance you get on top of some other benefits. You may be entitled to this premium if you already get another benefit, such as Income Support, Universal Credit or Housing Benefit.