New research by Ipsos MORI for Carers Rights Day shows the average carer in Britain today cares for around six-and-a-half years clocking up an average of 27 hours a week.
And a separate study of round-the-clock carers by Carers UK reveals over a third (35%) had missed out on benefits like Carer's Allowance because they didn't realise they could claim.
Half (49%) said not getting these benefits affected their health and two in five said they were struggling financially. One in five said they were in debt because of missing out.
Today Carers UK and the Department for Work and Pensions are calling on all carers to check they get all the financial help and practical support on offer.
Imelda Redmond, chief executive of Carers UK, said: "Caring can take a massive toll on carers' finances. While facing hugely reduced incomes from giving up work or reducing their hours, carers face all the additional costs of care. Carers UK urges carers - who potentially have a decade of caring ahead of them - to seek advice and claim the benefits they are entitled to."
Minister of state for pensions and ageing society Angela Eagle said: "From April next year, Government reforms will enable people who look after someone for more than 20 hours a week to build up entitlement to a basic state pension, thereby helping those who may not even think of themselves as a carer safeguard their financial future."
