Unpaid carers across the United Kingdom provide essential support to family members, friends, or neighbours, often while managing significant personal, financial, and health challenges. Recognising the vital role these individuals play, a wide range of organisations, retailers, attractions, and service providers offer freebies, discounts, and specialised support programmes designed to alleviate some of the burdens. This guide details the various forms of financial relief and complimentary services available to carers throughout the year, focusing on verified sources of support.
Understanding Carer Eligibility and Status
Accessing the majority of carer-specific benefits requires formal recognition of the caring role. While specific eligibility criteria can vary depending on the provider, the foundation for most discounts and free entry schemes rests on the carer's status and the needs of the person they support.
A carer is generally defined as someone who provides unpaid support to a family member, friend, or neighbour who could not manage without this help due to illness, disability, mental health issues, or addiction. Many organisations require proof of this status. This often involves providing documentation such as a Carer’s Allowance award letter, a Blue Badge, or evidence that the person being cared for receives specific disability-related benefits like Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance Allowance (AA), Personal Independence Payments (PIP), or Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP).
For attractions and leisure facilities, the requirement is often that the carer is present to provide essential assistance, meaning the person being cared for would be unable to visit without support. This is distinct from a carer simply accompanying someone who prefers assistance.
Council Tax Exemptions for Carers
One of the most significant financial reliefs available is a potential exemption from Council Tax. The rules can seem complex, but the core principle is that carers providing substantial hours of care may not be counted for Council Tax purposes.
If a carer resides with the person they care for, they may be exempt from paying Council Tax altogether. This applies when the carer provides at least 35 hours of care per week, and the person receiving care is entitled to certain disability benefits. In this scenario, the carer is disregarded when counting the number of adults living in the household.
Furthermore, any other adults in the home may qualify for a 25% or 50% discount depending on the household composition. For carers who do not live with the person they care for, exemptions may still apply based on the carer’s time spent at the residence, although the rules differ. It is highly recommended that carers check the specific guidance provided by their local council, as implementation and advice can vary. Recent investigations have highlighted that some local authorities may provide incorrect information regarding these discounts, making it crucial for carers to verify the official criteria.
Dedicated Carer Discount Cards
Several organisations operate discount card schemes specifically for carers. These cards provide access to a wide range of savings and are often free to join.
Discounts for Carers
This programme offers exclusive savings across numerous categories. Members can access discounts on travel, homeware, fashion, mobile phones, utilities, gym memberships, and more. The scheme claims that the card can save carers up to £2,000 annually. Additionally, Discounts for Carers offers the ODE Cashback card, which provides up to 16% cashback at over 70 retailers.
CarerSmart Card
Partnered with Carers Trust, the CarerSmart card is a free membership club for carers, volunteers, and people with care needs. It provides a range of offers, including: - Cashback on shopping from numerous high street retailers - Reductions on insurance renewals - Discounts on holidays and travel arrangements - Reduced price lifestyle activities - Free and discounted legal advice services
ODE Cashback Card
As mentioned, this card offers significant cashback opportunities at a wide variety of retailers, providing a direct way to save on everyday purchases.
Free Entry to Attractions and Theme Parks
Many of the UK's leading visitor attractions offer free entry for carers who are accompanying someone they care for. This policy recognises that carers are not typically visiting for leisure but are providing necessary support. It is standard practice to require proof of disability for the person being cared for and proof of the carer’s status.
Major theme parks and attractions participating in free carer entry schemes include:
- Alton Towers: Offers a free Essential Companion ticket when accompanying the person being cared for.
- Thorpe Park: Provides one free carer ticket for a disabled person.
- LEGOLAND Windsor: Carers go free, but proof of carer status is required.
- Chessington World of Adventures: A carer is admitted for free when the person they care for pays full price.
- Paultons Park (Home of Peppa Pig World): An Essential Companion ticket is available for guests who require additional assistance, granting access for both the guest requiring support and the companion.
- Blackpool Pleasure Beach: Offers free entry for carers but advises contacting them during booking to avoid confusion.
- Merlin Annual Pass: Offers a complimentary pass for carers when a full-price pass is purchased for the person being cared for.
Beyond theme parks, numerous other attractions offer similar provisions:
- Chester Zoo: Free entry for carers.
- Woburn Safari Park: Free entry for carers.
- Edinburgh Zoo: Free entry for carers.
- Sea Life Centres (across England): Free entry for carers when a guest with disabilities purchases a full-price adult or child ticket.
- National Trust Properties: Offers the National Trust Essential Companion Card. Regardless of whether the person being cared for is a National Trust member, this card entitles one or two carers to enter National Trust properties for free.
- English Heritage Sites: Carers are eligible for free entry when accompanying the person they care for. It is necessary to call English Heritage to obtain a ‘letter of authority’ to ensure free entry.
- Beamish Museum: Offers free entry to carers.
- The Roman Baths: Offers free entry to carers.
Many museums and wildlife parks across the UK also offer free entry for carers. The general advice is to always check the website of the specific visitor attraction before booking tickets or travelling.
Cinema Discounts
For leisure activities closer to home, several cinema chains offer discounted tickets or specific schemes for carers. The Cinema Exhibitors’ Association (CEA) Card is a key programme. The CEA card costs £6 and is valid for one year. It allows the cardholder to receive a free ticket for a companion when they visit participating cinemas to see a film. To be eligible, the person being cared for must receive one of the following: Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance Allowance (AA), Personal Independence Payments (PIP), or Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP).
Holidays and Respite Breaks
Taking a break is essential for carers' wellbeing, but it can be financially challenging. Several organisations provide grants, discounted breaks, or specialised respite holidays.
- The Family Holiday Association: This organisation provides breaks at holiday sites or grants to help with the cost of a holiday for low-income families in need of a holiday away from home.
- Honeypot: Offers countryside respite breaks specifically for young carers.
- Over The Wall: Provides fun activity camps in Wiltshire, Dorset, Staffordshire, and Scotland for siblings, as well as weekend camps for the whole family unit of children suffering from serious illnesses.
- Holiday Providers: Some providers tailor packages specifically to meet the needs of carers, helping them to recharge and recuperate. These deals are designed to provide essential respite with options tailored to suit individual needs and circumstances.
Travel and Transport Benefits
Carers may be eligible for discounted or free travel, particularly when accompanying the person they care for.
- Disabled Person’s Railcard: If the person being cared for has a Disabled Person’s Railcard, the carer can travel at a reduced rate when accompanying them.
- Bus Passes: Those with a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass can often travel for free on off-peak buses.
- Vehicle Tax: There are options for free vehicle tax for those using mobility vehicles.
Other Financial and Support Benefits
Additional forms of support are available to help manage the financial and practical aspects of caring.
- Blue Badge: Carers may be eligible for a Blue Badge if they or the person they care for has difficulty walking. This allows for easier access to parking spaces.
- Legal Advice: As mentioned under the CarerSmart scheme, discounts on legal advice services are available.
- Carers UK: This national charity provides extensive support, advice, and a platform for carers to connect. Joining Carers UK is free and provides access to the latest news, campaign updates, and a user forum. The organisation actively campaigns on issues affecting carers, such as inequalities, financial support, and health and social care provision.
Conclusion
The landscape of support for unpaid carers in the UK is varied and extensive. From significant financial reliefs like Council Tax exemptions and cashback cards to essential respite through holiday grants and free entry to national attractions, these benefits acknowledge the invaluable contribution of carers. However, accessing these often requires proactive engagement, including joining specific schemes, applying for cards, and providing proof of status. With the theme for Carers Week 2025 being 'Caring About Equality', the focus remains on highlighting and addressing the inequalities faced by unpaid carers, including a greater risk of poverty, social isolation, and poor health. Utilising the freebies and discounts available is one practical step towards mitigating these challenges.