Carers Toolkit
Carers Toolkit
We know how hard it can be when caring and also having to cope with difficult financial situations.
For information about all areas concerning money please click below for easy to use 'Making Every Penny Count' Carers Toolkit to find out how to get support with Carers Discounts, Carer Grants, Discount Schemes, Benefits, Wills, Trusts, Power of Attorney and Paying for Care. If you need help using the Toolkit please contact us and we will provide support.
Carers Discounts
Carers Discounts
The Card enables a disabled cinema guest to receive a complimentary ticket for someone to go with them when they visit a participating cinema.
The Card is also one way for cinemas to make sure they look after their disabled guests. If you require an adjustment to visit a cinema because of your disability, cinema staff should make them for you whether you have a CEA Card or not.
Carers Trust has a free CarerSmart discount club that offers cash back, reductions, discounts and benefits on insurance, travel and high street shops and much more to carers.
It is easy and free to join and once you are a member, you can benefit from a wide range of offers including free legal advice services.
There are many types of discounts available for carers. Carer's cards are one of the major ways that we can access reductions on goods and services, but they are not the only way.
There are lots of exclusive discounts for carers, but it can be a minefield wading through them all. Take a look at this guide to money off - from carers’ discount cards, to carers go free and deals on utilities to carer council tax discounts.
Raising a disabled child can be 3 times more expensive, and Contact for Families with disabled children wants to help families access all the support that they can.
Their 30-page Money Matters guides have detailed advice & information on financial help including money and vouchers for having children, help with rent, mortgage and council tax, grants and loans and lots more.
HEART - Home Energy Appliance Replacement
HEART - Home Energy Appliance Replacement
HEART is an initiative to support fuel poor and vulnerable households through the replacement of old, inefficient fridges, freezers, fridge-freezers, washing machines and cookers with modern, efficient alternatives.
To qualify to receive support from this scheme there are three streams of eligibility. These will include households with:
- low household income
- physical or mental health problems exacerbated by the cold
- other vulnerabilities known to be indicators of fuel poverty.
To find out more please click on the learn more button below.
Money Management
Money Management
Dealing with money issues can sometimes be off-putting, but if you don't understand how things like credit or mortgages work, you could end up losing out financially or getting yourself in debt. On the learn more button there is information you may need to make the right choices, including help to deal with your debt problems, how to avoid losing your home and how to get your finances back into shape.
Money & Mental Health
Money & Mental Health
Learning how mental health and money are connected might help if you're struggling. Sorting things out might feel like an overwhelming task. There may be lots of things out of your control. However, try taking things one step at a time. The tips on the button below are to help you get started.
Financial Support Services:
Many are struggling with the cost of living and need any extra support. This is for vulnerable people experiencing financial hardship.
Energy Price Rise, Lack of Money and Your Mental Health
Energy Price Rise, Lack of Money and Your Mental Health
Every household now faces a 54% increase in their energy bills this year (2022) and this is adding to the stress that many carers already are feeling trying to cope with their caring situation.
Some carers have already received their energy bills which is showing a massive jump from paying £147 per month to having to pay £240 per month with no extra finance coming into the household.
To understand how to manage your mental health and money if you are worried about fuel poverty please click on the 'Learn More' button below.
Paying for Care
Paying for Care
If the person you are looking after is assessed by the local council as needing care and support, the local council will carry out a financial assessment to work out whether they need to help with the costs involved.
This will be arranged for you and will determine what financial support is required.
You should seek advice and information about this assessment and what the results may mean to you or the person you care for.
Scams & Frauds
Scams & Frauds
Every year thousands of us fall victim to scams sent by post, email, text, the phone and internet. Carers, stressed, under pressure and often time-poor, can be especially prone to scams such as bogus lotteries, deceptive prize draws and sweepstakes, ‘guaranteed’ investments, fake psychics and ‘miracle’ health cures, calls asking to log into your computer to ‘fix’ something, or calls supposedly from your bank or the police.
Lasting Power of Attorney
Lasting Power of Attorney
​Possibly one of the most important documents you will ever make but hopefully never need. You may be surprised to know that without a registered lasting power of attorney in place, personal decision making and that of property and financial affairs for your loved one could be taken out of your control.