Practical support if you are a carer

If the person you are caring for dies

If the person you care for dies and you would like some emotional support, Carers UK will be able to put you in touch with local support groups. You may be entitled to Carer's Allowance for a further 8 weeks. If you are on a low income or you are receiving benefits, we can give you information on getting financial help to pay for the funeral. You may also be eligible for Bereavement Benefits.

Looking after yourself

When you are caring for somebody with a health condition or disability, it is important to make sure that you also look after yourself. For personal support and advice, you could contact Carers UK or find more information on the Directgov website.

Directgov

Directgov provides the latest and widest range of information about public services. The Directgov website has a dedicated section for carers. This covers useful information about carers' assessments, support services, money matters, and lists of useful contacts.

If you want to contact your local council to find out how the social services or the social work department can help, you can find contact details on the Directgov website.

Carers UK

Carers UK can give you information on your rights as a carer and give guidance on help you might be able to get.

Call the CarersLine on 0808 808 7777 (e-mail info@carersuk.org or for Scotland e-mail: info@carersscotland) for a free information pack containing details about benefits, local carers' groups and other help. If you want to speak to an adviser, phone on Wednesday or Thursday (between 10am and midday or between 2pm and 4pm). You can also visit www.carersuk.org, www.carerscotland.org  or www.carerswales.org  for more information.

Princess Royal Trust

This trust works to reach carers and develop services for carers across the country through a nationwide network of over 100 carers centres. To find your local centre visit the Carers UK website.

Practical support from social services

Carer's assessments

If you regularly provide care for someone over 18 years old, the social services department (social work department in Scotland) can assess you to see if you need support and how your needs can be met.

At the end of the assessment a care plan might:

• set out the help you can get with looking after the person you care for
• give the person you care for time at a day-care centre so that you can have a break, or
• give the person you care for help around the home so they don't rely on you so much.

Contact social services or social work through your local council. You can find contact details on the Directgov website and in your local phone book.