Looking after someone 2017, Northern Ireland

Budgeting Loan If you are getting certain benefits you may be able to get a Budgeting Loan to help pay for essential things like rent, furniture, clothes or hire purchase debts. The smallest amount you can borrow is £100. Budgeting Loans are interest-free so you only pay back what you borrow. You normally have to repay the loan within 104 weeks. Find out more at www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/ budgeting-loans Discretionary Support (formerly the Social Fund) This can help people in a crisis and/ or those who cannot afford to buy household goods like fridges, freezers, beds etc. You can find out more at www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/ introduction-finance-support Grants There are sometimes grants that you may be able to apply for. You can ask a local advice centre if there are any local grants. Turn 2 Us is a charity which has a grants search tool. Find out more at turn2us.org.uk 27 Norman’s story Giving up work to care for his wife Ros plunged Norman into serious financial trouble. A call to the Carers UK Adviceline changed everything. Photo: BBC Looking after someone My call to the Carers UK Adviceline was the first time I felt someone was listening to me as a carer. I spoke to an Adviser who talked to me about my situation and let me know what help I was entitled to, and what my options were. I just wish I had this information when I first started caring for Ros. I’m sure our life would have been quite different. carersni.org

Looking after someone 2017, Northern Ireland | Page 27