Carer Money Matters

From January 2025 until the end of March 2026 Care for the Carers was funded by the Gas Distribution Networks and Carers Trust to provide support to carers around financial inclusion in partnership with Sussex Community Development Association (SCDA).   

This project provided support around income maximisation, energy efficiency and safety in the home.  Over the course of the project, we supported 1054 carers with an estimated financial benefit for carers through the project in total of £365,055.78 (£346.35 per carer).  

What carers told us about the support 

“I just wanted to let you know I used my heated blanket for the first time during the Christmas holiday and WOW what a treat! It was like having a big hug when I got into bed. It made me smile and cheered me up. Lovely jubbly!” 

“Carer Money Matters has been invaluable; informing me of numerous ways to access support, and has saved me ££££s” 

“I am so very grateful to Carer Money Matters, without whose help I would still be pulling my hair out with the daily struggle of heating or eating” 

 Cost of living and warm homes support 

Are you struggling to make ends meet as a carer?  Would you like to know more about how you can make your home more energy efficient?  Questions about ways to help to make sure that the person you look after stays safe?   We are here for you.  Our Carers Hub team can provide support around all aspects of your caring role, including your rights, benefits and entitlements, and guidance around energy efficiency and home safety, for example helping you to get onto the Priority Services Register (PSR) or arranging a warm home check or a home safety visit from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.    

Cost of living support for carers: useful links

Energy & Money Saving Advice – Taking Charge
Turn2us Benefits Calculator 
Benefits calculators – GOV.UK
Benefits and financial support if you’re caring for someone – GOV.UK 
Cost of living support – East Sussex County Council
Community Fridge Network – Hubbub

Warm and safe homes for carers: useful links 

The PSR – The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free UK wide service which provides extra advice and support, including when there’s an interruption to your electricity or gas supply – PSR 

Warm Home Check service | Warm East Sussex 

Home Safety Visits | East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service 

Money Matters for Older Carers in Hastings project  

Thanks to three years of funding from Independent Age, we are partnering with Age UK East Sussex in Hastings to provide financial inclusion support for carers over 65 living in Hastings and St Leonards.  We are particularly looking to help carers who are renting privately in the area.   

What support can the project offer? 

• You’ll receive a benefits check to help to ensure that you are getting all that you are entitled to      

• We’ll work through a ‘triage’ of questions with you that covers ways to maximise income, energy efficiency, home safety and wellbeing support 

• Following this we can refer you directly across to Age UK East Sussex who will help further, for example to apply for benefits, complete forms and so on 

You can contact Care for the Carers on 01323 738390, email info@cftc.org.uk or use the ‘Contact Us’ page.