Nearly 9 million people help older relatives with bills: How to support your parents financially

Almost nine million UK adults are helping older family members financially, according to new research. From covering energy bills to paying for care, we look at what support your parents could be entitled to and seven ways to help without putting your own finances at risk.

We often hear about the Bank of Mum and Dad helping adult children get on the property ladder. But increasingly, money is travelling in the opposite direction.

New research from Canada Life, published on 10 November 2026, suggests almost nine million UK adults are financially supporting older relatives.

That's around one in six adults helping parents, grandparents or other family members with their expenses.And we're not just talking about treating Mum to lunch occasionally.

Among people providing financial support, 61% are contributing towards everyday living costs, while 35% are helping with care at home and 33% are paying towards property maintenance and repairs.

For people already juggling mortgages, childcare, rent and their own savings goals, that can be a significant extra responsibility.

So what can you do if your parents need financial help, and how can you support them without ending up struggling yourself?

How many people are financially supporting older parents in the UK?

Around 16% of UK adults, equivalent to almost nine million people, are providing financial support to older family members, according to Canada Life research.

The findings suggest financial help is increasingly flowing in both directions between generations.

Among adults already supporting older relatives:

• 61% help pay everyday living costs.

• 35% contribute towards care costs at home.

• 33% help with home repairs and maintenance.

• 29% contribute towards residential care costs.

• 29% help pay for larger expenses, such as a car or holiday.

The research also found that one in ten adults provides financial support to both older and younger relatives.

Sometimes known as the sandwich generation, these are people who may be helping their parents while also supporting children or other younger family members.

Those aged 25 to 44 were the most likely to be supporting family members across both generations.

The problem is that while helping family often feels like the obvious thing to do, it can become difficult to balance their needs with your own financial responsibilities.

What financial help can elderly parents get in the UK?

Before automatically covering a parent's shortfall yourself, it's worth checking whether they're receiving all the financial support they're entitled to.

Some older people may qualify for benefits, reductions in household bills or help with care costs.

The right support will depend on their income, savings, health, household circumstances and where they live.

1. Pension Credit

Pension Credit is designed to help people over State Pension age who are on a low income.

For 2026/27, the Guarantee Credit element can top up weekly income to:

• £238 for a single person.

• £363.25 for a couple.

These are standard minimum amounts. Some people may qualify for more, depending on their circumstances.

Even if your parent has some savings or a small private pension, it's still worth checking whether they qualify.

Pension Credit can also open the door to other help, including certain housing costs and support with bills.

What to do: Use the official Pension Credit calculator or help your parent check their eligibility before deciding how much financial support you can afford to provide yourself.

2. Attendance Allowance

If your parent has reached State Pension age and needs help or supervision because of a disability or health condition, they may qualify for Attendance Allowance.

This benefit isn't means-tested, so the amount they earn or have in savings doesn't determine eligibility.

For 2026/27, Attendance Allowance pays:

• £76.70 a week at the lower rate.

• £114.60 a week at the higher rate.

The amount depends on the support or supervision someone needs, rather than simply having a particular diagnosis.

Your parent doesn't need to have a paid carer to qualify.

Eligibility and alternative benefits differ in Scotland, so check the relevant Scottish disability benefit if your parent lives there.

What to do: Read the Attendance Allowance eligibility guidance and consider whether your parent could qualify before paying privately for additional support.

3. Council Tax reductions

Older people on low incomes may qualify for Council Tax Reduction, depending on where they live and their circumstances.

Someone living alone may also qualify for the 25% single-person Council Tax discount.

These are different types of support, and qualifying for one doesn't necessarily mean someone qualifies for the other.

What to do: Check your parent's Council Tax bill and contact their local council to ask which discounts or reductions may be available.

4. Help with housing and energy bills

Depending on their circumstances, older relatives may qualify for assistance with rent, heating or other essential costs.

Some schemes are based on income or means-tested benefits, while others have additional eligibility conditions.

Rather than assuming every discount is automatic, check which schemes are currently available and whether an application is required.

What to do: Start with a free benefits check using Turn2us or an independent calculator listed on GOV.UK.

5. Support with care costs

If your parent needs help washing, dressing, preparing meals or managing safely at home, they may be entitled to support through their local authority.

You can request a care needs assessment, which looks at what assistance they require.

A separate financial assessment may then be used to work out how much they need to contribute towards eligible care.

Care funding rules differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

What to do: Contact the local authority or relevant health and social care organisation responsible for your parent's area before committing to ongoing private care costs.

Seven ways to help your parents financially without putting yourself at risk

Wanting to help someone you love doesn't automatically mean you can afford to take on their bills indefinitely.

The aim is to find a way of supporting your family that works for everyone, including you.

1. Start with a conversation about what they actually need

Before offering money, try to understand what's causing the shortfall.

Are energy bills becoming difficult to manage? Is a pension no longer covering food and household costs? Or has an unexpected home repair created a temporary problem?

There's a big difference between a one-off expense and a regular gap between someone's income and essential spending.

Try to approach the conversation without judgement.

Money can be a sensitive subject, particularly for parents who have spent years being financially independent.

You could start by asking whether there are any household bills they'd like help reviewing, rather than immediately asking them to disclose everything about their finances.

2. Check benefits and discounts before paying the difference

One of the most useful things you can do might not involve giving your parent money at all.

Helping them complete a benefits check, apply for a Council Tax discount or contact their energy provider could reduce their regular outgoings.

If they're uncomfortable managing online forms, offer to sit with them while they apply.

Even a relatively small reduction in monthly costs could make ongoing support more affordable.

3. Decide what you can afford to contribute

Before agreeing to help with a regular bill, check your own budget.

Start with the essentials: housing, utilities, food, transport and any debt repayments.

Then consider what you need to set aside for emergencies and future commitments.

If you can comfortably afford to contribute £25 a month, that's a more sustainable offer than promising £100 and having to rely on credit to cover your own expenses.

Remember that you don't have to match what another family member can afford.

4. Share the responsibility where possible

If you have siblings or other relatives who want to help, discuss how costs and practical responsibilities could be shared.

That doesn't necessarily mean everyone contributes the same amount.

One person might be able to help financially, while another can take care of shopping, attending appointments or organising paperwork.

Agreeing who will do what can reduce misunderstandings and make it less likely that one family member quietly ends up paying for everything.

5. Be careful about taking out debt to help

Putting a parent's expenses on your credit card or taking out a loan in your own name might seem like a quick solution.

But you'll remain responsible for the repayments, even if your parent originally intended to reimburse you.

If your own circumstances change, that could leave you struggling with debt.

Be particularly cautious about becoming a guarantor or taking out joint borrowing.

Before committing, check exactly what you're legally responsible for and whether you could manage the repayments without help.

6. Protect your emergency savings and retirement plans

It can be tempting to use every spare pound to help a family member, particularly when their needs feel more urgent than your own plans.

But your emergency fund, pension contributions and other savings goals matter too.

Using your entire savings buffer to meet someone else's regular expenses could leave you without money when an unexpected bill arrives.

If you're planning to offer longer-term support, build it into your budget rather than treating it as money that will somehow be available each month.

7. Agree when you'll review the arrangement

Financial support doesn't have to be an open-ended commitment.

If you're helping with an unexpected bill, agree whether it's a one-off contribution.

If you're paying towards something every month, decide when you'll sit down and review the situation.

You might agree to check in after three months, once a benefits application has been processed or when your parent's circumstances change.

That gives everyone an opportunity to make adjustments without an uncomfortable conversation building up over time.

Should you pay your elderly parents' bills directly?

There's no single right answer.

Some families prefer to transfer a set amount each month, while others find it easier to pay a particular bill.

Paying a specific expense can make budgeting simpler, but it's important to respect your parent's independence and wishes.

If you're helping someone manage their money rather than simply contributing towards expenses, check what permission or legal authority you need.

Being someone's son or daughter doesn't automatically give you the right to operate their bank account.

In England and Wales, a property and financial affairs lasting power of attorney can allow a trusted person to help manage finances, subject to the relevant rules and permissions. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements.

You can find guidance on lasting power of attorney through GOV.UK.

Can you claim benefits if you're caring for an elderly parent?

Potentially.

If you regularly provide care for an older relative, you may qualify for financial support depending on how many hours you provide, your earnings and the benefits your parent receives.

Carer's Allowance is one possible form of support, although its eligibility rules are specific and claiming it can affect certain other benefits.

Scotland operates a separate Carer Support Payment system.

You may also be entitled to a carer's assessment, which considers your own needs and what support could help you continue caring.

It's worth checking the full impact before making a claim, particularly if your parent receives means-tested benefits.

What if your parent refuses financial help?

Not everyone finds it easy to accept money from their children.

Older relatives may feel embarrassed, worry about becoming a burden or simply want to maintain their independence.

Rather than insisting on taking over their finances, try offering help with a specific task.

That might mean comparing energy tariffs, checking benefits, making an appointment with an adviser or helping them understand a bill.

Sometimes the most valuable support is making their existing money go further rather than giving them more of yours.

And if a parent has the capacity to make their own decisions, their choices should be respected, even if you would manage things differently.

Where can older people and their families get free money advice?

If you're trying to help an older relative, these organisations are useful starting points:

• Age UK provides information about money, benefits, care and later-life support.

• Turn2us offers benefits calculations and information about grants and financial help.

• MoneyHelper provides free guidance on pensions, budgeting and other money matters.

• GOV.UK lists independent benefits calculators.

• Money Wellness provides free debt advice for people struggling with repayments.

How can you support older relatives without sacrificing your own finances?

Helping your parents financially can be a generous and practical thing to do, particularly when their pension or savings aren't stretching as far as they once did.

But support shouldn't have to mean putting your own financial security at risk.

Start by checking what help they're entitled to, understand whether the problem is temporary or ongoing, and be realistic about what you can contribute.

You can love your family, want the best for them and still need to pay your own bills.

The most useful financial support is often the kind that everyone can afford to sustain.