Financial toolkit

The costs involved when looking after another (or several people) can really add up and can spiral easily, especially if you've had to give up paid work or reduce your hours. This toolkit is designed to highlight some positive steps you can take to keep your finances under control and maximise your income.

1/ Reviewing your financial situation

Do you feel confused about your finances and unsure where to start? To feel a bit surer about your next steps, it can be a really useful exercise to have a review of your finances with a trusted professional. We can offer a benefits check as a free online service at Carers UK. You would need to send an email to request one with one of our advisers: advice@carersuk.org

In order to work out your entitlement, the adviser will need some specific personal and financial information about you and your household. The adviser will then let you know what details they need in order to complete a full benefits check.

Some people also find that using an online benefits calculator helps as a starting point: Benefits calculator | Carers UK. These can provide a general indication, but may not cover everything you need to know so it's also helpful to contact a trusted professional.

2/ Planning ahead

Thinking ahead about what you might be entitled to in terms pension savings is important to consider, whatever stage of your caring journey.

In particular, if you have had to give up work to care, you may want to consider other ways you may be able to accrue the National Insurance Credits needed to help build up your pension pot. For example, this might be possible by claiming Carer's Allowance/ Carer Support Payment or Carer's Credit.

Find out more about saving for your pension.

3/ Looking after the finances of someone you care for?

This may feel especially overwhelming. Are you wondering about your options and how to go about it? The rules and terminology can differ according to where you live too. See our online guidance to understand what options there are and what you would feel comfortable arranging, from power of attorney to a third-party mandate: Different ways of managing someone's affairs | Carers UK.

4/ Guides and resources

Having a guide to refer to can be very helpful. Our nation specific 'Looking after someone' guides include a section dedicated to telling you about all the ways to access financial support. Visit this page to download your free copy or order one from our online shop: Looking after someone guide | Carers UK

If you prefer to take in information visually or require closed captions and audio, you may find our series of animated financial guides for carers useful: Animated information guides for carers (financial support) | Carers UK. For more in-depth guidance, see our web pages: Financial support | Carers UK

5/ Fed up of forms?

Forms can feel like a chore and it may feel too time-consuming to apply for help when you have so much else to do. For some helpful tips to get started and overcome any barriers, see our page on filling in forms: Filling in forms | Carers UK. We also have some guidance and helpful links on our pages which look at each of the main benefits.

6/ Keeping track of what you've applied for

Fill in this tracker as you go along and you'll be able to keep track of appointments and applications you've made. You'll have a reliable record to refer to if you need to chase up or liaise with different professionals: application tracker.