Carers are people who provide unpaid support to a relative, partner or friend. This could be caring for someone who
- is ill
- is frail
- is disabled
- has a mental health condition
- has issues with substance misuse.
Many people who are carers do not see themselves as such because, first and foremost, they may be husbands, wives, partners, parents, siblings or friends. However, by providing unpaid care and support, they are in fact carers.
Direct payments for carers are designed to support carers in different aspects of their lives, and to help ease some of the extra pressures arising from their caring role.
In order to qualify for one of these payments, carers will need to have a carer’s assessment or review undertaken by the council that has identified an unmet eligible need.