When people work as unpaid carers, they don’t receive the benefit of a salary. Unlike professional carers, who might be searching for care assistant jobs Cork to progress their careers and hone their skills in paid positions, unpaid carers often find themselves in very challenging positions, where they cannot work as fully as they might wish to, because they are caring for a family member or loved one.
Challenges faced by unpaid carers
There has been a great deal of focus in recent years about the challenges faced by unpaid carers and the fact that they need more support. The government now offers a range of support options for carers in unpaid positions, that go beyond basic financials and include other sources of support and care. Find out more at Caremark.
Where to find information about financial help for carers?
The Citizen’s Information website is a really good choice to help you find out where you can get further support as an unpaid carer. You can use the site to find out what kinds of benefits and sources of financial support you could be eligible for. For example, you might be able to claim Carer’s Benefit, Carer’s Allowance or a Carer’s Support Grant, depending on your personal circumstances. Getting the right advice can make a huge difference to your financial situation, so it is well worth spending time on this.
What other types of support exist for carers?
It can be difficult to know where to start with caring and benefits. You can organise a support visit to get help with claiming benefits, and you can also get in touch with the Carer’s Allowance unit for help and support. The Citizens Information service is a great source of information and advice, and it is a free service that anyone can access. There are also charities and groups that exist to help carers find emotional, social and practical support as they navigate their complex roles. This can be particularly good for finding and meeting other people in a similar position for support.
