Am I eligible as a carer?
A carer looks after a family member, friend, partner or neighbour who needs support due to illness, disability or old age. The help carers give is unpaid, though you may still receive Carer’s Allowance or other benefits. You do not have to care full time to receive Carer’s Allowance or live with the person you care for to be a carer.
I don’t live in the same borough/county as the person I care for – where do I go for help?
It is the duty of the local authority (council) where the person you care for lives to assess their care and support needs and your needs as a carer. For example, if the person you care for lives in Sutton, the London Borough of Sutton would be responsible for assessing their support needs and offering you a Carer’s Assessment.
What are the contact details of Carer’s Direct?
Telephone - 0808 802 0202
Email - CarersDirect@nhschoices.nhs.uk
Website - http://www.nhs.uk/carersdirect/carerslives/updates/pages/carersdirecthelpline.aspx
Lines are open 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 11am to 4pm at weekends. Calls are free from UK landlines
Useful links
Carers support is available via Action for Carers, which is our jointly commissioned service with SCC via the BCF https://www.actionforcarers.org.uk/
Respite care from Crossroads Care https://crossroadscaresurrey.org.uk/
Carers break funding which GPs can refer carers to SILC for up to a £300 one off payment. SILC - GP Carer Prescription Service (surreyilc.org.uk)
