This scheme has closed.
Original information
Welsh Government has announced a one-off payment of £500, which is available to all eligible unpaid carers in Wales who were in receipt of Carers Allowance on 31 March 2022.
The payment is being made in recognition of the increased financial pressures many unpaid carers have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to help with some of the additional costs they have incurred.
Eligibility
The payment is for people who care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and have low incomes.
You will not be eligible for the payment if:
- you have an underlying entitlement to Carers Allowance but do not receive a payment because you are in receipt of another benefit at the same or higher rate, or
- you only receive a carer premium within a means tested benefit
Local authorities are administering this scheme on behalf of Welsh Government.
How to apply
You apply with the council where you live, not the council where the person you care for lives (if it is different).
To receive the payment, you will be required to complete an online form.
You will need your:
- National Insurance Number (NI)
- bank sort code
- bank account number
Closing date
The scheme will close at 5pm on 2 September 2022.
Payments
If you have been told that your claim was successful but you have not received the money into your bank account by 30 September 2022, please contact the council after this date.
If your claim is not approved
Your claim will be refused if you do not meet the eligibility criteria. You cannot appeal or ask for a review of your claim. The council may be able to help you if information was missing from your registration form.
Further help
If you continue to experience severe financial hardship you may wish to make a claim to the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) | GOV.WALES
The following information gives details of national carers organisations who provide advice, information and support to unpaid carers in Wales.
Carers Wales: Provides advice and information to carers and the professionals who support carers. Advice line – Monday to Friday: 0808 808 7777 website www.carersuk.org/wales
All Wales Forum: Provides a national voice to empower parents and carers of people with learning disabilities. 029 2081 1120 admin@allwalesforum.org.uk website www.allwalesforum.org.uk
Carers Trust Wales: Committed to improving support and services for unpaid carers. 0300 772 9702 wales@carers.org website https://carers.org/around-the-uk-our-work-in-wales/our-work-in-wales