Carers' Support Grant

The Carers' Support Grant lets carers buy services or pay for leisure activities. The aims is to give them a break from their caring role.

Who is eligible to receive a grant?

To be eligible for a Carers' Support Grant, the carer must be over 16 and caring for a person aged over 18, who has a physical or learning disability, a hearing or sight difficulty or a mental health problem.

The person they are caring for must be living at home in East Sussex — the carer does not have to be living with the person, but they must be providing regular and substantial care.

What can grants be used for?

The grant is designed to give carers an opportunity to take a break from caring and enjoy leisure activities, such as sports, training, complementary therapies, short breaks, or for counselling, driving lessons, a mobile phone or other equipment. This list is not exhaustive – carers will have different needs and interests.

What can’t grants be used for?

A grant cannot be used to buy services for the cared-for person that involve intimate care, nor to pay for goods or services that have already been bought. The grant may not be used to pay for everyday living expenses such as food shopping, heating, lighting, council tax, rent or mortgage payments.

How much can I apply for?

The average grant is around £350 per year, although some carers will need less and some will need more. Grants will usually be limited to one grant per carer per year, The grant is non-taxable and will not be taken into account for benefit purposes.

The grant is discretionary and the budget is limited.

Carer’s assessment

If you are a carer, you are legally entitled to an assessment. This is the first step in getting the support services we provide. Discussing with someone how caring affects your life can be a valuable experience in its own right. During the assessment you will get information about other services that might help you.

To be awarded a grant you will need to have an assessment. Priority is given to carers where there is a significant risk of the caring relationship breaking down.

If you are a carer and would like to have an assessment you can contact Social Care Directon 0845 60 80 191or email socialcaredirect@eastsussex.gov.uk.

If you have already had an assessment please contact your support worker directly and ask for a review of your circumstances.