If you, or the person you care for, need extra help to pay for something there are many grants, funds, and charities that may be able to help.

The Carers Trust grants have a big impact on the lives of many unpaid carers. Here’s the difference the grants programme made in the financial year of 2022-2023. Find out more in our impact report.

Carers Trust Impact - Find out more about charity grants

You can search online for grants and other financial help:

  • If you are a carer you may be able to receive a Carers Fund grant as part of a package of support from your local Carers Trust Network Partner. You can find your nearest Carers Trust Network Partner by using our Find support in your area search at the bottom of this web page.
  • Turn2us is a free service that helps people in financial need to access welfare benefits, community grants, charitable grants and other financial help – online, by phone and face to face. The website has a free and easy to use grants search and benefits calculator.
  • Disability Grants has details of charities and trusts which give out grants to disabled people and their families and carers. Find out more.

Young adult carer Callum received vital support from a Carers Trust and Rank funded grant. Read the story here.

Callum’s story

How a Carers Trust grant helped Callum

SearchHow to search for a suitable fund or grant

There is information on charities that support carers and benevolent funds on this website. You can also use the Turn2us grants search – make sure you give as much information as you can so you can find all funds that might be able to help both you and the person you care for.

  • Few people have ‘careers for life’ these days, so think about all the jobs that you have had in your working life. For example, if you served in the Armed Forces years ago it is likely that you will still qualify for help from one of their charitable funds.
  • Think about the trades, industries or companies you have worked in as some occupational charities give to people who have worked in a particular trade or profession, regardless of the job they have had.

If you don't find what you want first time, refine your search by adding and removing search criteria. You are likely to see different results.

When you finish your search and get a list of funds that may be able to help you, check you qualify before making an enquiry.

Also search for grants and funds for the person you care for. For example, if you are searching for help for a parent that you care for, search on your details and theirs.

Apply iconWhen you are ready to apply

When you have found a grant or fund that might be able to help you, the next step is to make an enquiry or apply. There is more information about this on the Grants - What you need to know page on the Turn2us website.

  • Gather all the information you might need before you make an application. This might include bank statements, proof of identity, evidence to show your eligibility and details of any benefits you claim.
  • Read the forms and guidance notes carefully to make sure you understand what information you are being asked to provide and include any supporting documentation the fund has asked for. It will help speed up the application process if the fund doesn’t have to ask you to supply missing information.
  • Check how the charitable fund requires you to submit an enquiry or application.
  • Give the charitable fund the complete picture about your situation. It is important to answer questions about your personal circumstances and provide documentary evidence where required. Charitable funds only ask for information they need to assess your application and will offer you as much support as possible.

If you need help to fill in the forms, ask the fund if they can support you. You could contact your local carer service, or ask another health or social care professional that supports you or the person you care for, to see if they can help. You can also use the Turn2us 'Find an Adviser' tool to find someone who can help you with the form.

Thanks to Bridget McCall (Turn2us Information Specialist) for helping us write this page. You can find out more about welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services on the Turn2us website.

See the Turn2us website