Are you a Carer?
If you provide unpaid help or support to a relative, partner, friend or neighbour who could not manage without you, then you are a carer.
Recognising yourself as a carer can be the gateway to getting a range of help and support to allow you to continue your caring role.
Take a look at our information leaflet for carers below, and don’t forget to let us know about your caring role.
We work closely with Hillingdon Carers, you can access their website at: Hillingdon Carers
Please contact a member of the reception team for more information: 01895 632677.
Financial Support
Help with Benefits
Carers Allowance is the main benefit for carers. If you are looking after someone for more than 35 hours a week you may be eligible. Carers Allowance is not means tested.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
If you have a long term illness or disability – physical and/or mental – and you aged between 16 and 64 years old then you may be entitled to Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
The PIP form can be long and complex, so take you time to complete the claim form. Alternatively, Hillingdon Carers can assist you with completing the form, this can be done by appointment only. For further information on how to arrange an appointment please click on the following link: Hillingdon Carers Appointment
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance is a benefit that helps with the extra costs of long-term illness or disability, which can be either physical and/or mental. It is for people ages 65 and over.
Disability Living Allowance
If you are looking after a child with a health condition or disability who is under the age of 16 years then they may be entitled to Disability Living Allowance (DLA). This can help towards the extra costs of bringing up a disabled child.
Benefits for Carers who are Working Age
If you are a carers of working age, there may be benefits you can claim in addition to (or instead of) Carer’s Allowance.
Benefits for Carers who are Pension Age
Most carers who are pension age will be receiving a State Pension. There might be other benefits you can claim as a carers who is pension age.
Carers UK also have useful links for advice on housing benefit, bedroom tax, challenging benefit decision, challenging a ‘bedroom tax’ decision, universal credit, tax credits and child benefit and work focused interview/work related activities.
Health
Your Health is Important
Please find below some links to sites that you may find useful:
Accessing Social Care and Support
One of the first steps to accessing support is by contact the local authorities social services department. They will be able to carry out a needs assessment which help to determine the type of services you may need and which this will be free of charge.
Carers breaks are a time for you to look after your own health and well-being. The needs assessment may identify that you need a break from caring from time to time. In certain cases respite (temporary) care may be be provided by the local authorities.
If you’re a carer, you may be having broken or not enough sleep. Occasionally, having a disturbed night will affect you the following day, but if you are having trouble sleeping for longer than a night or two, then everything will seem harder. Carers UK provide tips for getting a better night’s sleep.
The seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and the person you care for from flu, and will prevent you being stopped from being able to care. If you are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person who may be put at risk if you fall ill, you are eligible for a free flu jab.
If you are not sure whether or not you are eligible please speak to a member of the reception team or your GP.
Most of us will suffer with back pain at some stage in our lives. But as a carer, you are even more likely to be affected. Lifting the person you care for and helping them dress or move around can all place a strain on your back. However, knowing how to protect your back can help to keep it in good shape.
The Carents Room
The Carents Room, a digital platform designed to support adults caring for elderly parents/relatives.
The Carents Room is for people supporting elderly parents. It comes with a growing catalogue of helpful tips and resources to help those who are supporting their ageing loved ones.