Small Carers Payment

What is a Small Carers Payment?

A Small Carers Payment is a payment made by Adult and Community Services to a carer for anything which will support the carer in their caring role. This can be anything from gym membership, to help around the house or garden.

They are the same in many respects as a Direct Payment in that they give you greater flexibility in when and how you would like some support.

If a carer is eligible for the scheme, he or she can request up to £200 per financial year.

Am I entitled to a Small Carers Payment?

A Small Carers Payment may be offered to carers who have had a 'Carers Assessment' within the last 12 months.

To find out if you have had a Carers Assessment, please contact Adult and Community Services on:

Telephone: 020 8891 7971
Text: 07800 002439
Email: adultsocialservices@richmond.gov.uk

You can also contact us by using the Adult and Community Services enquiry form.

Our office hours are 9am - 5.15pm on Monday to Thursday and 9am - 5.00pm on Friday.

What can the payment be used for?

You can spend the money on anything that will help you to continue caring. Some examples are:

• Gym membership
• A series of massages / holistic therapies
• New washing machine

You can't use this payment to pay for care for the person you care for however. If you want to pay for some extra care to enable you to take a break, you may be entitled to a Carers Break Voucher.

Do I need to keep records?

The main difference between this scheme and the normal Direct Payments scheme is that you do not need to keep significant records of how you spend the money.

All we ask is that you complete a feedback form which we will send out once you receive the payment, telling us how you spent the money and how it helped you.

Also you don't need to open a separate bank account because this is a one-off payment.

How can I apply for a Small Carers Payment?

We are operating a waiting list for this scheme. If carers are successful in applying, payments will be made in August 2007.

To find out if you are eligible to join the waiting list, please contact your Care Manager or Social Worker. If you are unsure as to who your Social Worker is, please contact Adult and Community Services.

More information about the Small Carers Payments Scheme

If you need any help or more information on the Small Carers Payment Scheme, please contact the Carers Information Officer:

Telephone 020 8487 5020
Email: carers@richmond.gov.uk.