If you provide unpaid help or support for someone who is disabled, physically or mentally ill, frail, or struggling with addiction, you may be a carer. “Caring” can include providing emotional support, physical support, help with household chores/tasks if the person you are caring for is unable to do them, or help with medical care (e.g. managing medication). You may have to look after your siblings more often or pick them up from school. You may have additional responsibilities every day, every week or less frequently.
Further education students
If you are studying a Further Education course and your household income is below £35,000 per year, before deductions, you should be eligible for bursary funding.
The most common support elements are:
· Travel funding to college and compulsory placements: If you live more than 2.5 miles from college/the placement provider by the shortest safe walking route.
· Free meal credit: If you meet government set criteria or meet one of our exceptional circumstances.
· Essential kit/equipment costs: This includes PPE and uniform.
· University Open Day visits (final year students only): 3 visits or up to £150, whichever comes first. This increases to £250 for Performing Arts students due to audition costs. We can also cover the cost of your UCAS application fee.
· Childcare: Students aged 20 or over on the first day of their course can claim childcare funding of up to £180 per child, per week during term-time. If you are under 20, you can apply for childcare funding through Care To Learn.
Higher education students
We have bursaries available for our higher education students and there is also a hardship fund for students facing a financial emergency. Come and make an appointment to see the Funding Team if you are struggling financially.
Other support in college
Let your tutors and/or Progress Coach know about your caring responsibilities; this can help if you need to be absent due to your caring responsibilities or need to have your phone on in class.
York Carers Centre offers support and advice for local carers of all ages, including those who are affected by drug or alcohol addiction. They can also put you in touch with other organisations and forums that can support you, including referrals for support for students who do not live in York.
You can contact York Carers Centre on 01904 715490 and register with them to receive a York Carers Discount Card, which lets you save money at over 50 local businesses. Visit www.yorkcarerscentre.co.uk for more information.
Your local council can also provide support such as parking badges, travel passes and any adaptations or equipment (if necessary) for the person you care for. They should also carry out a Carers Assessments of Need to see if you are eligible for further support.
If you care for someone for at least 35 hours per week, and they receive certain benefits, you could be eligible to claim carer’s allowance, which is up to £62.70 per week. This can, however, have knock-on effects to other benefits that you and the person you care for may receive and you cannot claim carer’s allowance if you are a full-time student or if you are already earning above a set amount. For more information, visit www.gov.uk/carers-allowance or make an appointment with the Funding Team to discuss your options.
The person you care for may be eligible for benefits, depending on their situation. For more information, visit www.gov.uk/financial-help-disabled.
Useful websites for carers living outside the City of York Council area:
- Scarborough & Ryedale - http://www.carersresource.net/
- Carers Leeds - http://www.carersleeds.org.uk/
- Harrogate Carers Resource - https://www.carersresource.org/
- Carers Plus Yorkshire - https://www.carersplus.net
