Carers - Finances & Cost of Living

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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.

As of April 2025, you can claim £83.30 per week in Carer’s Allowance if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and meet eligibility criteria. You can apply for carers allowance on GOV.UK.

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.


Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF)

The Crisis and Resilience Fund provides support for residents who are experiencing financial hardship due to an unexpected emergency or crisis. The scheme aims to offer immediate assistance while also helping people build longer-term financial resilience. It is funded by the Government and runs until 31 March 2029.

For more information about eligibility, the support available and how to apply, please visit our dedicated Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) webpage.


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.)


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.

As of April 2025, you can claim £83.30 per week in Carer’s Allowance if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and meet eligibility criteria. You can apply for carers allowance on GOV.UK.

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.


Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF)

The Crisis and Resilience Fund provides support for residents who are experiencing financial hardship due to an unexpected emergency or crisis. The scheme aims to offer immediate assistance while also helping people build longer-term financial resilience. It is funded by the Government and runs until 31 March 2029.

For more information about eligibility, the support available and how to apply, please visit our dedicated Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) webpage.


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.)

Page last updated: 10 Jul 2026, 10:33 AM