Carers - Finances & Cost of Living
Carers Allowance
If you're an unpaid carer, you may be eligible for financial support through the Carer's Allowance.
To be eligible, you must care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they must also be receiving certain benefits. You can only claim Carer's Allowance for one person and if another person also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer's Allowance.
You can currently claim £81.90 a week and the UK Government has recently announced that this will increase in 2025.
For information about how the Carer's Allowance works, eligibility criteria, how it may affect any other benefits you receive and to start your application, please visit the Carer's Allowance page on the government website.
Carers Council Tax Discount
If you're an unpaid carer, you may be eligible for a reduction in your council tax. For more information, or to start your application for a carers council tax discount, please visit the council website.
Household Support Fund
If you're struggling financially, you may be eligible for a one-off £150 payment from the Household Support Fund. The Household Support Fund is funded by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in central government. To be eligible for the fund you must be over the age of 18 and resident in the borough. To apply, you can contact one of our Delivery Partners who will be able to assess your application and direct you towards additional support if necessary. To find out more about the Household Support Fund, please visit our dedicated page.
Here to Help
If you need help and advice related to the cost of living, you can visit our dedicated page Here to Help. Here to Help brings together a range of local and national support and arranges information under easily navigable key topics.
Information includes:
- Energy & Water Costs
- Childcare & School Meals
- Debt Support
- Keeping Well Over Winter
- Food & Daily Essentials
- Mental Wellbeing
- Support with Housing Cost
- Council Tax
- Council Benefits & Additional Support
RBWM Financial Inclusion Officers
Each year, numerous benefits and forms of support go unclaimed. The RBWM Financial Inclusion Officers are available to help residents assess the support their eligible for, and provide free, unbiased and confidential advice. For more information and contact details, please visit the RBWM Financial Inclusion Officers page.
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice can help you with a range of issues including debt and legal advice, financial problems, relationship advice.
You can call a trained adviser for free on 0808 278 7914 or you can visit the Citizens Advice East Berkshire Maidenhead office at 4 Marlow Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 7YR
Their drop in times are : Monday 10.00am – 12.00pm and Wednesday 10.00am – 12.00pm. (Clients are seen on a first come first served basis, subject to Adviser availability.)