Carers Card UK benefits

Cyclamen

Most Counties have a carer support charity that will keep a register of carers and issue a card.  I find this reassuring as my husband carries a card with a number on it.  If something awful happens anyone checking his wallet eg hospital would ring the phone number quote my number and be given info on what help i need, keysafe number to get in etc.

We've found this useful ID too for carers discounts.  Although to be fair the wheelchair gives a big hint but a persons needs are not always visible..

We've noticed some places have started to offer a two tier discount eg carer ticket half price, carer with official documentation free.  So I have ID cards for my paid PAs and my husband has the Carer support county card. 

 When we asked about this it was explained that many people are perceved of claiming the free carer ticket but the person they are accompanying may not need them as a 'carer' more going with friend, partner.  They could attend on their own without support.  The free tickets were having an impact on ticket sales and making it harder to keep going at same ticket price for standard tickets .. this was a small model village.  

There are a number of different pay to join carer card schemes and ive not heard much good about any of them for discounts unique to them that PIP/DLA letter or a county carers card wouldnt gain. 

DE_612183

elsien said:

Completely off topic but I am still miffed I don't qualify for the blue light card as although a front line worker who worked throughout covid going into care homes and hospitals, I'm not directly employed by a care home, the NHS or a local authority and my job title/employer doesn't fit any of their labels or recognised organisations although my job is a statutory requirement. 

What "organisation" employs you then?

elsien

Why the word organisation in inverted commas - it implies a degree of scepticism? It's a national charity contracted by the local authority to carry out statutory independent client facing roles which are  not optional as they are a legal requirement. 

scoobydoo2025

i have a carers card for my husband, i have recently bought two laptops through carers card-Groopie_arion computers, both computers did'nt work and they cam with no return details, i would not buy via carers card offers as it is governed by the local council, it has cost me over 150 pounds and left with no working laptop, carers card have not responded to my complaints, nor has groopie or arion computers, my next step will be trading standards, if you want a carers card please purchase it through your local authority 

Labrador83

Hi 
I have purchased one carers card uk, after seeing others comments now worried it may be a scam!  I even paid the extra £2 for a 3 year card.  I haven't activated the card, just wondering whether to or not?

elsien

I don't think carers card uk  is necessarily a scam (it looks very similar to the employee discount systems that some employers set up) so there is no harm in activating it. Just do due diligence around how and when you use it, and check out their contact/complaints details etc.  
But I wouldn't be buying anything expensive from a third party seller via groupon or anyone else, whether as a carer or not. It adds an unnecessary extra complication and removes any S75 protections that you would have by buying direct. 

chrisw

Labrador83 said:

Hi 
I have purchased one carers card uk, after seeing others comments now worried it may be a scam!  I even paid the extra £2 for a 3 year card.  I haven't activated the card, just wondering whether to or not?

It's not a scam, you'll be fine. It's just that you can often find similar discounts and provide valid ID without paying for the card. Hopefully you will be able to make sufficient savings to cover the cost of the card.

Pec123

You're right to be curious — the Carers Card UK offers a wide range of discounts, but the details can feel a bit scattered.

According to their discounts page, the card unlocks savings across over 150 high street retailers and categories like:

• Supermarkets: ASDA, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M&S (via discounted e-gift cards)
• Fashion & Beauty: Nike, Boots, Lookfantastic, The Fragrance Shop
• Dining & Cafés: Pizza Express, Zizzi, Harvester, Caffè Nero
• Days Out: Alton Towers, Legoland, Thorpe Park
• Gyms: PureGym, Virgin Active, Fitness First

Most discounts are online or via e-gift cards that can be used in-store, rather than showing the card itself at the till. So while it’s a national ID card for carers, its acceptance in person is limited unless the venue specifically recognises it.

If you're looking for a card that’s more widely accepted in person, the National Carers Card also offers discounts and has a section where users report which venues accept it as proof of carer status.

chrisw

Pec123 said:

If you're looking for a card that’s more widely accepted in person, the National Carers Card also offers discounts and has a section where users report which venues accept it as proof of carer status.

For £20 + £3.50 for 2 years. Most of the discounts and offers are freely available elsewhere.