Carer's Wellbeing Grant

What a Carer's Wellbeing Grant is, who can apply, what you can spend it on, how to apply.

What a Carer's Wellbeing Grant is

A Carer's Wellbeing Grant is a one-off payment of up to £300.

You can use it to pay for things that improve and support your health and wellbeing, to help you continue caring for a child or young person with a disability. 

We assess applications individually and the amount you can get depends on the:

• number of applications we have
• funds available at the time

Who can apply for a Carer's Wellbeing Grant

A parent or guardian who provides care to a child or young person with a disability can apply for a Carer's Wellbeing Grant.

If you've applied for a grant before

You must wait 12 months from the date of your last grant payment before you can apply again.

If you apply too early, we'll reject your application and you'll need to apply again when 12 months have passed.

What you can use a Carer's Wellbeing Grant for

• Alternative therapies to support your wellbeing, such as relaxation courses and massage.
• Fitness activities to support your health and wellbeing, such as gym membership.
• Hobbies and leisure interests, such as classes or memberships.
• Educational courses or course materials to support your education and learning.
• Entertainment to support your wellbeing, such as theatre or sports tickets.
• An overnight stay or excursion trip for you only, to give you a break from your caring role.
• Ad hoc sitting services for the person you care for, to give you a break from your caring role.

What you cannot use a Carer's Wellbeing Grant for

• General living expenses, such as rent, food, drink, utility bills, internet access or clothes.
• Debt repayments.
• Household items, such as furniture or gardening equipment.
• Home improvements.
• Business costs or purchases.
• Anything for the person you care for, including home aids and adaptions.
• Taxi fares or travel costs for taking the person you care for to and from appointments.
• Items that should be funded by social care or health services, such as occupational therapy or medical equipment.
• Items you've already bought.
• Short breaks or holidays for your family or the child or young person's family (this is a recent change)
• Replacement care, such as respite breaks in residential care for the person you care for.
• Car repairs and petrol.
• Personal care for the child or young person.
• Subsidising your income.

Information you need to apply

When you fill in the form, you'll need to tell us:

• about yourself and the child or young person you care for
• what you want to spend the grant on and how it will support your health and wellbeing as a carer
• the details of a professional person who knows you and can confirm your caring role, such as a:
  • support worker
  • nurse
  • doctor or GP
  • teacher
  • social worker

You should tell this person you've given us their details, and make sure they're happy to confirm your caring role.

Apply for a Carer's Wellbeing Grant

Apply for the Carer's Wellbeing Grant

After you've applied

It takes us about 8 weeks to process applications for the Carer's Wellbeing Grant. Do not contact us about your application until 8 weeks have passed.

We audit the Carer's Wellbeing Grant payments. You must:

• keep the receipts for anything you buy with your grant
• send copies of your receipts to us within 8 weeks of getting your grant

We'll tell you where to send them when we've processed your application.

If we don't get copies of your receipts:

• you'll have to repay the grant
• you will not be able to apply for the grant again