Help With Money

Welfare Benefits 

There are a number of welfare benefits that may help you and the person you care for: 

• Carers Allowance 
• Carers Credit
• Attendance Allowance
• Personal Idependence Payments
• Pension Credit

The Money Helper website is a useful resource for finding out what benefits you or the person you care for may qualify for an how to claim them. Visit the Money Helper website here. 

There are also some useful online resources and benefit calculators which are useful to help you work out what benefits you could get and explain how to claim them. They are free to use and anonymous.

• entitledto - for information on income-related benefits, tax credits, contribution-based benefits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer's Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work
• Turn2us - for information on income-related benefits, Universal Credit and tax credits
• Your Upfront Guide to Caring - Carers UK have produced a simple tool for carers who are new to the maze of benefits and entitlements to help them. As well as covering practical and financial support, it includes information to help with managing the impact of caring on health and relationships. You can find the tool here.

BCP Council - Household Support Fund

BCP Council have launched the Together We Can Household Support scheme to help vulnerable families and individuals across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole with access to food and support in paying energy bills. Find out more online here.

Help with your energy bills 

You might be able to take advantage of certain benefits, grants and help offered by the government and energy suppliers.

Citizens Advice have some useful information about the grants and benefits available to help you afford your energy bill online here. 

You may also be able to get extra support from your energy supplier. You can find out more about the types of support available and if you may be eligible here

Local Energy Advice Partnership (LEAP) is also available to give you  personal advice and free gadgets to help cut energy bills. Find out more online here.

In partnership with BCP Council, Ridgewater Energy have produced a helpful booklet to help you save money by providing the tool and understanding to control your heating and energy use at home. Find a copy of the booklet online here.

Council Tax Exemption

As a family/unpaid carer, you may be disregarded for Council Tax. You  can find out more on the BCP Council website here.