What Support Can Unpaid Carers Get?

If you provide unpaid care for someone because of illness, disability, mental health needs, or age, you are likely an unpaid carer and may be entitled to support in your own right. Find out more about who unpaid carers are on our “Who are unpaid carers?” page.

Some support is set out in law. Other help is available through charities, local carers services, employers, communities, and the people around you. Not all support depends on having a formal assessment.

This page explains what support unpaid carers can get, where it comes from, and how to start accessing it.

1. Your Rights as an Unpaid Carer in the UK

The Care Act 2014

In England, the main law covering support for unpaid carers is the Care Act 2014.

The Care Act recognises that:

Carers have needs of their own
Caring can affect health, wellbeing, work, and relationships
Support should focus on preventing breakdown, not just reacting to crisis

Carer’s Assessments: Your Legal Right

If you care for an adult, you have the right to a Carer’s Assessment from the local authority that the person you care for lives in.

A Carer’s Assessment should:

Look at how caring affects your wellbeing, not just what you do
Consider physical and mental health, sleep, work, education, and relationships
Explore what would help make caring more sustainable
Lead to information, advice, and potentially practical support

Important points to know:

You can request one even if the person you care for has no assessment
You do not have to be providing a minimum number of hours
Having an assessment does not automatically mean support will be funded
Some support may be delivered by other organisations, not the council itself

If you are unsure how to ask for one, your local carers service can often help you request or prepare for an assessment.

2. Support That May Be Available Without an Assessment

Not all help requires a Carer’s Assessment.

In many areas, carers can access:

Information and advice
Emotional support
Peer support groups
Training and workshops
Short breaks or wellbeing activities
Help navigating services and benefits

This support is often provided by local carers centres or voluntary organisations, funded by councils, the NHS, or charities.

Contacting your local carers service is one of the best first steps, whether or not you plan to request a Carer’s Assessment.

3. Support from Local Authorities

Local authorities have duties to:

Provide information and advice for carers
Carry out Carer’s Assessments when requested
Consider support to meet eligible needs
Work with other organisations to arrange or signpost support

Support may include:

Practical help or services
Breaks from caring (sometimes called respite)
Equipment or adaptations (linked to the cared-for person)
Signposting to community and voluntary services

Not all support is delivered directly by the council. Many councils commission charities or carers organisations to provide help locally.

It’s important to note that if you need a Carers Assessment this will be completed by the Local Authority where the person you care for lives, regardless of where you live. You may be able to access some support in your own Local Authority but this will be more limited.

4. Support from Local Carers Centres and Services

Most areas have a local carers centre or carers service. You can find your local one by checking on the Carers UK website or on the Carers Trust website.

These services are often:

Commissioned by local authorities or the NHS
Run by charities or voluntary organisations
Free to access for unpaid carers

They may offer:

One-to-one support
Help understanding your rights
Assistance requesting assessments
Peer support groups
Training and wellbeing activities
Help planning for the future

Even if you are not eligible for funded statutory support, local carers services can still provide valuable help.

5. National Support Organisations

Carers UK

Carers UK is the national charity for unpaid carers.

They provide:

Clear guides on carers’ rights and entitlements
Information about Carer’s Assessments and benefits
A helpline and online community
Campaigning and policy work on behalf of carers

Their guidance is a trusted reference point and complements local support. Click here to go to the Carers UK website.

Carers Trust

Carers Trust is a national network of local carers organisations.

They:

Support and coordinate local carers services
Help carers find support in their area
Work with young carers, adult carers, and parent carers

If you are looking for local support, Carers Trust is a good place to start. Click here to go to the Carers Trust website.

6. Support at Work for Unpaid Carers

If you are combining work with caring, you have important rights.

These include:

Flexible Working

You have the legal right to request flexible working from day one of employment. This might include changes to hours, location, or working patterns.

Carer’s Leave

You may be entitled to up to one week of unpaid Carer’s Leave per year to manage caring responsibilities.

Time Off for Dependants

You have the right to reasonable unpaid time off to deal with emergencies involving someone who depends on you.

Protection from Discrimination

Under equality law, you are protected from discrimination because of your association with a disabled person.

Many employers also offer additional support beyond the legal minimum. Carers UK provides guidance on talking to employers about caring.

7. Financial Support

Some carers may be entitled to financial help, depending on their circumstances.

This can include:

Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment (Scotland)
Carer’s elements within Universal Credit
National Insurance credits
Council Tax reductions in some situations

Benefits systems are complex, and getting advice from Citizens Advice or a local welfare rights service can be helpful.

8. Other Support options

Not all support comes from services. You’ll probably come across the term “Strength Based”, particularly if you have a Carer’s Assessments. Simply put this means they want to explore the support and resources already available to you that might be able to be used in different ways to support you more. For example, you may have a family member who could do more to help if they were asked and knew what to do.

Strength-based approaches recognise that carers may also be supported by:

Family members
Friends and neighbours
Community or faith groups
Mutual aid or informal networks

Practical ways this can help include:

Sharing tasks
Short breaks
Emotional support
Help with errands or appointments

Many carers find it hard to ask for help. A local carers service can sometimes help you think through how to ask, who to ask, and what would help most.

9. Where to Start

If you’re unsure what support might be available to you:

Contact your local carers service or carers centre
Ask about support available with or without an assessment
Consider requesting a Carer’s Assessment if caring affects your wellbeing
Use trusted national guidance to understand your rights

You do not have to work this out alone.

10. Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to call myself a carer to get support?

No. You do not have to use the word carer to access support. If you provide unpaid help to someone because of illness, disability, mental health needs, or age, you may still be entitled to support — even if you think of yourself as “just helping out”.

Can I get support without having a Carer’s Assessment?

Yes. Many carers can access information, advice, emotional support, groups, and practical help from local carers services and charities without having a formal assessment. A Carer’s Assessment can unlock additional support, but it is not the only route to help.

What if the person I care for doesn’t want social services involved?

You can still ask for support for yourself. A Carer’s Assessment looks at your needs and wellbeing and does not require the person you care for to have an assessment themselves. Local carers services can also offer support independently of social services.

Does getting support mean I’m not coping?

No. Caring can be demanding, even when done with love. Asking for support is about making caring more sustainable and protecting your health and wellbeing — not about failure or giving up. Getting support will mean you can continue to look after the person you care for, for longer and more easily.

Who should I contact first if I’m not sure what help is available?

A good first step is to contact your local carers service or carers centre. They can explain what support is available in your area, help you think through your options, and support you to request an assessment if that feels right.