Benefits my family might be entitled to:

The person you care for may be entitled to disability benefits such as:
✔Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
✔Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
✔Attendance Allowance 

If they are an adult, they can request a Care Needs Assessment from Essex County Council: https://www.essex.gov.uk/adult-social-care-and-health/support-adults.

You can find clear guidance at: http://www.gov.uk/financial-help-disabled/disability-and-sickness-benefits or Citizens Advice Guide.

If the person you care for receives the right support, it may:
✔Reduce your caring role
✔Increase household income
✔Make things less stressful

Other financial support:

Aside from government benefits, there might be other support available:

✔ Hardship funds for bills
Some energy and water companies offer hardship funds or reduced “social tariff” rates to help people who are struggling to pay their bills, so it’s worth checking what support your supplier provides. You can also apply to the British Gas Energy Trust for help if you’re in fuel debt, even if you’re not a British Gas customer. 

✔ School or College
can potentially help with travel, school costs, bursaries. 

✔ Warm Home Discount
A one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill. https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme  

✔ Discounts for carers
Some services (travel, cinema entry) offer discounts for carers.  

✔Carers Trust Grants
Small grants for carers for young carers over 16 years (sometimes up to a few hundred pounds) to help with things like equipment, courses, breaks and activities. Speak to Action for Family Carers. 

Get a Young Carer’s Assessment: 

Every young carer in England has the right to a Young Carer Assessment with their local council. This is not a test – it’s a chance to talk about: 

✔ How caring affects you (including money worries)
✔ What help you might need
✔ Support for the person you care for
✔ How to balance school, work and life 

This can lead to benefits, help with travel costs or support reducing unsuitable caring duties. 

Budget the simple way:

If you have some responsibility for looking after your household’s money it can be scary. But budgeting can help you feel more in control. A budget is a money plan that helps your income meet your needs. It is important to plan spending so you don’t run out of money and avoid debt. 

Start with these steps – you might have to speak to other members of your family to help.

✔ Write down what money your household receives(income)
This includes money from a job and benefits such as Child Benefit.  

✔ Work out how much your household spends(expense)
What does your household spend every month? This might include mortgage, rent, Council Tax, TV Licence, broadband, mobile phone, landline phone, electricity, gas or water, travel, food, school uniform. You might want to look through bank statements to help. Some items will be essential (e.g. rent and bills), others might be nice to have if you are able to afford them (e.g. meal out) 

✔ Compare your household income and expenses
Look at how much you spend on essential items compared to your household income.  

If your family doesn’t have any debts, then you may want to put some or any extra money into a savings account for emergencies like the boiler going wrong or the car breaking down. 

If your income is lower than your expenses you will need to do something. Can you reduce what you spend? Take a close look at your expenses to see where you can cut back – this might include shopping around for cheaper phone plan, cooking meals in bulk or cutting down on small everyday spends like takeaways or snacks.  

Or have a look at ways you might be able to increase your income below:

✔ Set priorities
• Must have (travel to school/work, food, bills)
• Nice-to-have (treats) 

Tips to stretch your money further:

Here are practical ways to save and manage bills: 

💡 Could you get cheaper bills?
Make sure household bills (rent, Council Tax, internet, gas/elec) are understood – ask for help to compare prices or payment plans to reduce costs. You could save a lot of money just by switching to a different provider. A good place to start is by using what is known as a price comparison website.  

💡 Try and cut down on usage
The Energy Saving Trust has lots of top tips for saving energy: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/hub/quick-tips-to-save-energy/ 

Look here for tips on how to save water: https://watersworthsaving.org.uk/energy

Saving for the future:

We know that many young carers and families may not have spare money to save – and that’s completely understandable. Saving isn’t always possible, and that’s okay. 

But, if you are able to save some money – even a small amount – it can really help in the future. 

You might want to think about: 

✔ Keeping some money in savings rather than a current account, as savings accounts often pay interest (a small amount of extra money from the bank). 

✔ Asking your bank about savings options, including Cash ISAs. A Cash ISA lets you earn interest without paying tax on it (there is currently a £20,000 yearly limit, but most people save much less than this). 

✔ Setting up a regular transfer, even £5 or £10 a month, if you can. 

If you start a job in the future, it’s also worth asking your employer about: 

✔ Pension contributions (money saved for when you’re older) 
✔ Health or life insurance benefits
✔ Staff discounts or wellbeing support 

Even small steps can make a difference over time.

School or College :

Your school or college may be able to help you with: 

✔ Travel support
✔ Equipment grants
✔ Free meals
✔ 16–19 bursary funding 

Speak to student services.

If you’re balancing school/college and a caring role, you do not automatically have to give up education to claim benefits – but some rules can be tricky. Ask for advice so you don’t lose out. 

If you’re considering part-time work, check how it might affect benefits before you start. 

Going to University:

You absolutely can go to university as a young carer. Many young carers do. But planning ahead makes a huge difference. 

💰 Student Finance England 

Most students apply for:
✔ Tuition Fee Loan
✔ Maintenance Loan (for living costs) 

If your household income is lower, you may receive a higher Maintenance Loan: www.gov.uk/student-finance 

Use the calculator: www.gov.uk/student-finance-calculator 

Support for young carers at University

Many universities offer:
✔ Young Carer Bursaries
✔ Care Leaver or Estranged Student Support
✔ Hardship Funds
✔ Priority accommodation
✔ Flexible deadlines
✔ Named wellbeing contacts 

When applying, check the university website and search: “Young Carer Support” or “Carer Bursary” 

Staying at Home vs Moving Away 

Some young carers:
✔ Choose a local university
✔ Live at home
✔ Travel in 

Others move into halls and arrange support at home. 

If you are worried about leaving the person you care for:
✔ Ask for a reassessment of their support
✔ Talk to social services early
✔ Speak to your young carer worker 

You should not have to give up your education because of caring. 

Benefits and University 

If you go into full-time university:
✔ You usually cannot receive Carer’s Allowance
✔ Your student income may affect Universal Credit 

Always get advice before starting university so you don’t lose money unexpectedly. 

Where to get FREE help in Essex:

Here are trusted places that offer information and support on money, benefits, budgeting, grants and rights  – many with local services in Essex: 

• Action for Family Carers – can help with grants and talking through your worries  

• Citizens Advice Essex – free, confidential money and benefits advice.  https://www.citizensadviceessex.org.uk/ 

• School or College Support Staff – can potentially help with travel, school costs, bursaries. 

• Turn2Us have lots of advice about benefits that are available, that you may be entitled to receive: www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx 

• If you need help with debts, a charity like Stepchange may be able to help you: www.stepchange.org/Howwecanhelpyou.aspx   

Quick Money Checklist 

✔ Do you know what money you/your family receive?
✔ Have you requested a Young Carer Assessment?
✔ Do you use a simple budget plan?
✔ Is your family claiming all benefits you may be entitled to?
✔ Have you checked for grants or discounts? 

Remember…  Managing money as a young carer can feel overwhelming  but you are not alone. There are resources, professionals, services and people who can help you understand and claim the support you’re entitled to. If something is confusing, don’t hesitate to ask for support even starting with your family, school or young carer worker.