Being a carer

A carer is a person who is unpaid and looks after or supports someone who needs help with their day-to-day life.

This may be because of:

• their age
• a long-term illness
• disability
• mental health
• substance misuse
• additional needs (including parents or guardians of a child with additional needs)

Many people who care for someone do not necessarily see themselves as carers.

You can have a carers assessment if you are looking after someone without being paid and:

• the person is over 18
• you are looking after them because they need help with their day-to-day life due to their age, disability, illness or long term condition

How to get support from us

• How to tell if you are a carer
• Getting a carer’s assessment
• Online carer's assessment

Allowances, benefits and legal rights for carers

• Apply online for carer's allowance
• Caring and working: your legal rights
• Care related benefits

Services for carers

• Carer's breaks: so you can take time out from caring
• Carer's direct payment: a one-off award for carers in need

Resources for carers

• Care and support for the person you care for
• Buses, parking and transport for carers
• Local concessions for carers
• Carer health and wellbeing
• Luton Adult Learning: get into learning
• Local adult training and education
• Safeguarding adults

Young carers

• Are you a young carer?