List of freebies and discounts carers can claim all year around - including free entry and holiday deals
This week is Carers Week - here is a list of discounts and deals carers are entitled to all year round
There are a number of discounts and offers that you can get if you are someone's carer. These include free passes to certain attractions, discounts at many stores and an exemption from paying council tax.
You can also sign up to a number of carers discount cards, some which cost an annual fee. These give you exclusive discounts - online discounts, free or discounted entry to attractions, carer discounts at local shops and more.
Monday, June 9 to Sunday, June 15 is Carers Week - an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring and highlight the challenges unpaid carers face.
According to Carers UK, the theme for Carers Week 2025 is 'Caring About Equality', with the charity aiming to highlight the inequalities faced by unpaid carers, including a greater risk of poverty, social isolation, poor mental and physical health.
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “Caring for a loved one should never be a reason for facing inequality, but sadly this is a reality for many in the UK.
"Unpaid carers are desperate for a break, for better health and social care provision, financial support and equality in the workplace. Over half say they need better understanding and recognition from the public.
“Carers Week 2025 is a crucial opportunity to increase awareness, highlighting those who provide vital care to family members, friends or neighbours when they need it most.
"We want to see a future where they have the right support and the same opportunities to lead healthy and financially secure lives alongside their caring role.”
Below is a non-exhaustive list of discounts and schemes in place to try and ease the financial burden that carers may face. A lot of the discounts are available for both professional and unpaid carers.
Carer's Discount card
According to Carer's Trust, you can get a carer's card - sometimes called a carer’s discount card - from many local authorities. This allows you to prove your identity as an unpaid carer and you can use it as or alongside your personal ID to let supermarkets, GPs, pharmacies, or attractions know that you are an unpaid carer.
You can also prove that you are an unpaid carer with your Carer’s Allowance Letter of Award and proof of your ID.
Council Tax discounts
As a carer, you may be exempt from paying Council Tax if you live with the person you're caring for. The person you're caring for may also be exempt from paying Council Tax.
In addition to this, if any other adults live in the house, they may also be eligible for a discount of 25% or 50%. If you don’t live in the same house you may be eligible for a discount or exemption depending on how much time you spend in your own home.
More information on Council Tax exemptions can be found on your local authority’s Council Tax page.
Discounts for Carers card
The Discounts for Carers card offers exclusive discounts, cashback and vouchers for carers and care workers. This includes a range of discounts, money-saving deals and vouchers, such as:
- Travel and holiday deals
- Money off top fashion brands
- Savings on homeware and electricals
- Deals on mobile phones, utilities and gym memberships
- Money off eating out
According to the company, members can save up to £2,000 a year by using the card. Discounts for Carers also offers the ode cashback card, which can get you up to 16% cashback at over 70 retailers.
CarerSmart Card
CarerSmart is a partner of Carers Trust. It is a club for carers, volunteers and people with care needs that is free to join. Members can benefit from a range of offers including:
- Cash back on shopping from numerous high street retailers
- Reductions on insurance renewals
- Discounts on holidays and travel arrangements
- Reduced price lifestyle activities
- Free and discounted legal advice services
Cinema tickets
Many cinemas offer discounted ticket prices or schemes, such as the CEA. A CEA card costs £6 and gives you unlimited free access to the cinema with the person you look after.
You are eligible for it if the person you care for receives Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance Allowance (AA), Personal Independence Payments (PIP), or Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP).
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Days out and theme parks
Many visitor attractions and leisure facilities offer unpaid carers free entry if you are supporting the person you care for. You will generally have to provide proof of disability and proof of carers status.
Most theme parks in the UK also provide a complimentary ticket or provide discounts for carers. Always check the website of the visitor attraction before you book tickets or travel.
- Many museums offer free entry for carers accompanying someone who cannot visit without assistance
- Many zoos, wildlife parks, and sea life centres offer free entry for carers who are accompanying the person they care for, such as Chester Zoo, Woburn Safari Park and Edinburgh Zoo
- Free entry at Sea Life across England when a guest with disabilities purchases a full price adult or child ticket
- Carers are eligible for free entry to all English Heritage sites when accompanying the person they care for - make sure you call English Heritage on 0370 333 1182 and then they can give the person you care for a ‘letter of authority’ to ensure you get free entry when accompanying them
- Blackpool Pleasure Beach offers free entry for carers but advises that you ring them when you're booking your ticket to avoid any confusion
- The Roman Baths offers free entry to carers
- Beamish museum offers free entry to carers
- National Trust Essential Companion Card - regardless of if the person you care for is a National Trust member, this card entitles one or two carers to enter a National Trust Property for free
- LEGOLAND - carers goes free, but you will need to provide proof of your status as a carer
- Thorpe Park - a disabled person gets one free carer ticket
- Alton Towers - a free Essential Companion ticket is available when you accompany the person you’re caring for
- Paultons Park - an Essential Companion ticket is available for guests who require additional assistance – this grants access for both the guest requiring support and the Essential Companion
- Chessington - carer admitted for free when the person you care for pays full price
- Merlin annual pass has a complimentary pass for carers
Holidays
There are certain holiday deal options available for carers, such as grants and specialized respite breaks to "provide essential respite and rejuvenation, with tailored options to suit your unique needs and circumstances."
For example, The Family Holiday Association provides breaks at holiday sites, or grants to help with the cost of a holiday, to low-income families in need of a holiday away from home.
Honeypot offers countryside respite breaks for young carers, and Over The Wall runs fun activity camps in Wiltshire, Dorset, Staffordshire and Scotland for siblings and weekend camps for the whole family unit of children suffering from serious illnesses.
Discounted travel
Carers can sometimes get discounted travel on public transport when they're accompanying the person they care for.
For example, if the person has a Disabled Person’s Railcard, this qualifies you to a discount when you travel with them by train.
You can also travel for free on off-peak buses if the person you care for has a disabled person’s bus pass.
Blue badge parking
If you, or the person you care for, finds walking difficult, you may be eligible for a Blue Badge. These are free in Wales, and cost £10 to £20 in England and Scotland for three years.
Football matches and sports events
Many football clubs and other sports venues offer free entry for carers attending with the person they care for. It's best to contact your local football club to ask about discounts for carers or check their website for accessibility information.
Gas checks
If the person you care for is vulnerable, elderly or disabled then they can receive a free annual gas check. Most gas companies like British Gas offer this service through something known as a 'Priority Services Register'.
Free vehicle tax
You may be entitled to free vehicle tax if you have a disability or own a disabled passenger vehicle, mobility vehicle or powered wheelchair.
To apply you need to visit a Post Office branch that deals with vehicle tax. To find a branch, you can use their online tool and visit the 'Driving' and 'Vehicle Tax' section.