Carers are on course to miss out on as much as £1.3 billion in savings on their spending this festive period, through not using the Discounts for Carers platform.
The platform offers discounts across a host of household spending areas for both unpaid and professional carers, with research suggesting that users currently save an average of £188.50 a month, equivalent to more than £2,000 per year.
Research from the platform found that as many as seven million more of those who care for others in the UK are eligible to join and benefit from savings each month on the likes of groceries, energy and transportation.
The Discounts for Carers service is free to join, and offers exclusive discounts and vouchers from household names including Haven, Hotpoint, Jet2Holidays and RAC.
The service also offers an ODE cashback card in partnership with Pluxee. The card allows those who care for others to pocket cashback when shopping with partner retailers.
The finances of carers are under particular pressure due to the cost-of-living crisis. Research by Carers UK last year found that one in four are cutting back on essentials like food or heating, while two-thirds (63%) are worried about managing their monthly costs.
DEALING WITH RISING COSTS
A study earlier this year found that they are losing out on £5,000 a year in retirement savings.
There is financial support from the government which is available for those who care for loved ones, too. The Carer’s Allowance for example pays £76.75 a week for those who care for someone for at least 35 hours a week, if they person receives certain benefits.
There is also the Carer’s Credit, which is a National Insurance credit available to those who care for another person for at least 20 hours a week.
Storm Postlethwaite, managing director of Discounts for Carers, noted that carers in the UK are more important than ever, with many continuing to struggle with the impact of the cost of living crisis.
She added: “December can be exceptionally hard on their finances, so we’re encouraging carers to sign up and take advantage of the savings they’re entitled to.”
