This year’s survey found that carers are struggling even more with their finances. A higher proportion of carers said they are struggling to make ends meet, and carers who are already struggling with the high cost of living, are being further impoverished by having their ability to earn restricted by Carer’s Allowance. 

The research identified that 76% of unpaid carers receiving the allowance are struggling with cost-of-living pressures, while almost half (48%) are cutting back on essentials, including food and heating, and 49% said they were struggling to make ends meet  

This year’s survey found that, of carers receiving Carer’s Allowance: 

• 36% were struggling to afford the cost of food compared with 23% of all carers. This was an increase from 34% in 2022
• 76% of unpaid carers receiving the allowance were even more likely to say they were worried about living costs and whether they can manage in the future, compared with 63% of all carers
• 69% are worried about the impact of caring responsibilities (e.g. petrol for hospital visits, heating, specific dietary requirements) on their finances
• 55% had cut back on seeing family and friends, compared with 46% in 2022. (For more than most, family and friends provide an important life line for unpaid carers, often providing support and respite from sometimes long and lonely hours of unpaid caring.)

Read our wider findings on carers' finances in the report.

Bydd fersiwn Gymraeg o Sefyllfa Gofal 2023: Effaith gofalu ar gyllid yng Nghymru ar gael yn fuan.