Health · Healthcare & Policy · 1 hr ago
Dementia families may miss up to £15,000 in annual support
A survey of 1,000 people with dementia and carers found that nearly half of carers did not know about available support.
The support can include weekly payments for carers and patients, help with prescriptions and council tax discounts.
Some couples may miss out on up to £15,000 a year, depending on their age and eligibility.
The benefits include Carer’s Allowance for people providing at least 35 hours of care a week and Attendance Allowance for some pensioners who need day-to-day help.
Many carers are busy and may not know they qualify or how to apply.
Dementia Carers Together will offer six-week courses run by Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer Scotland, covering benefits, care challenges and carers’ mental health.
The campaign aims to raise at least £1 million to fund the courses for a year, with higher targets allowing them to run longer.
Families of people with dementia may be missing out on as much as £15,000 a year in government support because they do not know they are eligible.
An Alzheimer’s Society survey found that nearly half of carers were unaware of available support.
The benefits include weekly payments for carers and patients, help with prescription costs and council tax discounts.
A programme run by Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer Scotland will offer six-week courses on rights and services for dementia carers.
The fundraising appeal aims to raise at least £1 million to fund the courses for a year.
- Who
- Families of people with dementia and their unpaid carers.
- What
- They may be missing out on up to £15,000 a year in government support because they do not realise they are eligible.
- When
- The article was published on 15 November 2026.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- Nearly half of carers surveyed did not know about available support or realise they could qualify.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Roy, Andy Burnham’s father, died after suffering from dementia in the final years of his life.
The Daily Mail and Mail Force launched the Dementia Carers Together fundraising appeal.
Andy Burnham backed the campaign.
The Daily Mail published its report on families missing out on government support.
- Potential annual support
- Up to £15,000 for younger couples
- Pension-age couples
- Could miss out on as much as £12,000 a year
- Carer’s Allowance
- Around £86 a week for qualifying carers
- Attendance Allowance
- Up to £114 a week for pensioners needing day-to-day care
- Council tax
- A two-person household may qualify for a 25 per cent discount
- Survey
- 48 per cent did not know about Carer’s Allowance
What people are saying
The country is dependent upon people who are caring for partners, loved ones, unpaid,
Most carers will have heard about benefits but they don't realise they are eligible for them.