If you or someone you care for has dementia, sorting out finances and other administrative matters can be a priority.
Financial support
Use our benefit calculator to check you are receiving all your benefits.
Disability Allowances
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) helps with some of the extra costs caused by long-term ill-health or a disability if you’re aged 16 to 64. If you are aged 65+ then you are eligible to apply for Attendance Allowance for help with additional care needs.
Employment and Support Allowance
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is for people who are currently unable to work as the result of illness or disability. To qualify, you must be under state pension age and cannot be in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support or Statutory Sick Pay.
Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Credit
If you are the main carer for someone in your family or a close friend, then you could be entitled to claim Carer’s Allowance. You must provide 35 hours care per week or more and the person you care for must be in receipt of middle or higher rate Disability Living Allowance, either rate PIP or Attendance Allowance.
Carer’s Credit is a National Insurance Credit that helps carers build their entitlement to State Pensions. You can find out if you are eligible for Carer’s Credit here.
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support
Eligibility for housing and council tax support depend upon a range of factors. You can find out what you might be entitled to by using a benefits calculator.

Managing your affairs
As dementia progresses, it can be harder to manage finances and affairs. Finding someone you trust to act on your behalf is advisable.
Gov.uk have information about becoming an appointee for someone claiming benefits.
You may also wish to draw up an advance decision after first receiving a diagnosis of dementia. This makes your treatment preferences known now, in case you are unable to do this in the future.
Making a Will is another task that can give you peace of mind. A Will lets you decide what happens to your assets (your money, property and possessions) after your death. It’s the best way of ensuring that your wishes are carried out the way you want them when you die. Citizens Advice explain why a Will is important. The Money Advice Service also has good information on making and changing a will.

Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney is a legal document that appoints somebody to make decisions on your behalf.
Age UK have more information about the types of Power of Attorney and how to set one up. If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, there are different processes there.
Take a look at our webinar focusing on Lasting Power of Attorney. Can’t see the video? Watch it on Vimeo.

Dementia and debt
Dementia can cause someone to become erratic in their spending or miss bill payments. This can lead to debt.
Managing money and debt can be especially challenging for a person with dementia. Memory and concentration issues can make everyday money management difficult. Our Money Advisers can help with all aspects of debt and budgeting and are used to working with vulnerable people to offer solutions based on specific circumstances.

Useful organisations
How we can help and support you
Useful information and sources of help if you are caring for a partner, parent, family member or friend with dementia.
We may be able to support you with unexpected costs. Find out if you are eligible.
Related pages

Help with all aspects of debt, budgeting and managing your money.

Information about managing debt, benefits, Power of Attorney and financial support if you’re a carer for someone.

We get how hard it is to care for someone. You need care and support too. We’re here to help.