Hospital discharge grant to support unpaid carers of people in Leicestershire still available

More than £55,000 of support has already been given to unpaid carers of people in Leicestershire since the scheme began last year.

Unpaid carers supporting someone living in Leicestershire are being urged to check if they qualify for a grant.

Carers looking after a person in the county who has recently been discharged from hospital may be eligible through the Leicestershire County Council scheme, funded by the Government’s Discharge Funding grant.

More than £55,000 of support has already been given to unpaid carers of people in Leicestershire since the scheme began last year.

To qualify for the council-funded grant, carers aged over 18 will need to show that the cared-for person: 
•    Lives in Leicestershire and is also aged over 18
•    Has been discharged from hospital during the past four weeks (at the time of applying) 
•    Needs the carer for help and support to keep them safe 
•    Needs a level of support that has seen additional costs for the carer since the hospital discharge. 

Councillor Christine Radford, cabinet member for adults and communities, said: “The scheme has been open since last August to support people looking after their loved ones and so far more than 150 unpaid carers have received a grant.

“Through these grants we have also been able to reach more than 120 people who had not had any previous contact with either the council or our carers support service.

“This means we can give them both practical and emotional support and, in some cases, help them recognise themselves as carers for the very first time.

“I would urge anyone who is currently looking after a loved one who has recently been discharged from hospital to contact VASL to see if they are eligible to apply for one of our grants and find out more about the support available to them.”

Helen is one of the people who have received a grant, she said: “I am so thankful for your help and support; I felt a little abandoned before I heard about support for carers. This money will allow me to take a much-need break.”

Carers must apply within four weeks of the person they care for being discharged from hospital. The application form is available on the Support for Carers website at https://www.supportforcarers.org/what-we-offer/carer-support-hospital-discharge-grant 

Carers can also call VASL on 01858 468543 or email maureen@supportforcarers.org and the team will complete the application form on their behalf.