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  • Breadcrumb

    1. Home
    2. Health and wellbeing
    3. Care and support
    4. Advice for carers

    Introduction to caring

    A carer is someone looking after a friend, relative or neighbour who needs support because of their sickness, age or disability.

    What is a carer

    A carer is anyone, including children and adults, who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. 

    The care they give is unpaid. 

    Health and Social Care Trusts

    Your Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust may be able to make things easier for you and the person you care for. 

    They may offer help such as:

    • home help (like cleaning)
    • short-term breaks for you as a carer

    To find out what services you could benefit from, social services may ask:

    • support the person you care for needs
    • what help you  give

    This is called a carer's assessment.

    • Assessments for carers  

    To request a carer’s assessment you can contact the Carer Coordinator in your HSC Trust.  

    • Health and Social Care Trusts

    Carer's Allowance

    If you give care to someone for at least 35 hours a week, you might be eligible for Carer's Allowance. 

    You can make a claim online or use a downloadable form. 

    Further information and how to apply is available at:

    • Carer's Allowance

    Young carers

    If you are under 18 and care for someone, it is important that you get help and support. 

    You should not have the caring responsibilities that an adult could take on and there are people and services available to help you.

    • Young carers  

    Caring for a child with disabilities

    If you care for a child with disabilities, your needs will be considered in the family's needs assessment, through the social services department of your HSC Trust. 

    You can contact the Trust directly, or you can ask your doctor (GP) to contact them on your behalf.

    • Caring for a child with disabilities

    Your rights as a carer

    As a carer, you have certain rights by law. 

    • Carers' rights

    More useful links

    • Carers NI
    • Crossroads Care NI
    • Financial support
    • Carers Trust website
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    Advice for carers

    • Assessments for carers
    • Carers and employment
    • Carers and learning
    • Carers returning to work
    • Carers' rights
    • Caring for someone who is nearing the end of life
    • Direct payments for care
    • Financial support when caring for someone
    • Introduction to caring
    • Leaving work to care for someone
    • Looking after yourself as a carer
    • Support services for carers
    • Young carers

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    Carer's Allowance

    Call 0800 587 0912
    Email 
    dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

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    Employment and Support Allowance

    Call 0800 587 1377

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    Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

    Personal Independence Payment

    Call 0800 587 0932

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