Money warning issued as millions missing out on over £2000 of savings, are you one of them?

Nearly three million carers are thought to be missing out on a scheme that offers savings of up to £2,262 a year on things like food, petrol and holidays. The scheme is called Discount for Carers and is a benefit provider for carers, which is also available to their family members as well as retired carers.

The initiative is separate from the government’s Carer Allowance but is free to join and is designed to help carers who might be struggling financially by offering various discounts and a cashback payment card.

Discount for Carers

In the UK, one in five people are carers with many struggling to make ends meet as the cost of living remains high. Fortunately there is help at hand as Discounts for Carers, in partnership with Sodexo Engage, has calculated that 2.8 million UK carers are eligible for the scheme but not aware of it.

Discounts for Carers members get access to the ODE Cashback Card, provided by Sodexo Engage, which entitles users to receive up to 16% cashback on their purchases. Users earn on average £269.68 cashback a year with many receiving more.

The cashback scheme can be used at hundreds of qualifying retailers including Asda, M&S, Sainsbury’s and Boots. The cashback and discount schemes for carers are easily adopted and can have a transformative effect on carer’s finances, as per Discount for Carers.

Read more:

⋙ Millions to receive first £301 instalment of £900 cost-of-living payment next month

⋙ Thousands could be missing up to £11K in payments, check if you're affected

Carer’s Allowance

Carers should also make sure they are signed up to the government’s Carer’s Allowance, which can provide up to £69.70 a week for those who care for someone 35 hours per week.

Current figures estimate that around half a million people who are eligible aren’t applying for the allowance. The type of care you do can include, as per Gov.uk:

• helping with washing and cooking
• taking the person you care for to a doctor’s appointment
• helping with household tasks, like managing bills and shopping

You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for. Carer’s Allowance can affect the other benefits that you and the person you care for get. You have to pay tax on it if your income is over the Personal Allowance.

To apply you can go online or apply by post. You can also contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit on the following numbers for more information.

Telephone: 0800 731 0297

Textphone: 0800 731 0317

Read more:

⋙ Millions eligible for marriage allowance can claim backdated payments of over £1200

Sources used:

- The Express 'Millions of carers risk missing out on savings up to £2,262 - can you claim?'

- Discount for Carers 'Earn Cashback with the Ode Card at Qualifying Retailers '

- Gov.uk 'Carer's Allowance'