Carers are being driven into debt and left unable to meet vital extra costs, new research shows.
The research, conducted by the charity Family Fund, suggests that carers struggle to afford essentials such as food and heating.
And benefits are not keeping pace with the cost of living. Up to 44 per cent of the families taking part in the survey said they cannot meet day-to-day living costs. This was despite them receiving disability payments.
Family Fund chief executive Cheryl Ward says the families of disabled children are trapped in debt, going without essentials and experiencing poor mental health
No savings for essential items
More than four in five families, 87 per cent, said they have no savings and cannot replace essential items such as washing machines and beds.
Just 7 per cent of parent carers said they could work as much as they would like because of their responsibilities.
Cheryl Ward is the group chief executive of the Family Fund. The organisation awards grants to low-income families raising disabled or seriously ill children.
Cycle of living in debt
Ward said such families “can’t escape the cycle of living in debt, going without essentials like food, clothing and furniture, and experiencing poor mental health”.
The charity says the support available should properly recognise the additional financial and emotional costs of disability.
Policy should also consider that increasing paid work is not a viable solution to poverty because of caring commitments.
In addition, the organisation said childcare and respite services should be available. They should be affordable and tailored to children with complex needs.
Earnings threshold increased
A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said it increased the earnings threshold for Carer’s Allowance by £45 per week in April, from £151 to £196.
This is the amount carers are allowed to earn while still claiming Carer’s Allowance, which is worth £83.30 per week.
The spokesperson added that the Department has launched an independent review into social care, which will explore the needs of unpaid carers who provide “vital care and support”.
The Family Fund’s report, The Cost of Caring 2025, was based on responses from 2,300 low-income UK families raising disabled and seriously ill children.
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Published: 23 June 2025
