It is estimated that Britain has 6 million carers - usually unpaid relatives and friends who look after an ill, frail or disabled person and the majority of these people do not realise that they are carers and are entitled to help from the State and other sources, reports Carers UK.

Any person over 16, who cares for someone that receives a disability payment for at least 35 hours a week and does not earn more than £95 a week in other work.

The State Allowance can only be claimed by one carer per person, and the same amount is paid regardless of the number of people that a carer looks after.

Besides the monetary help, the government is launching a new initiative to help carers throughout the UK, the initiative has been named Caring with Confidence and provides free group advice sessions for carers.

Sessions will be starting over the next few weeks in areas where information for carers is most lacking, exact locations haven't yet being revealed. More information can be obtained via the phone number 0800 8492349.

The initiative's website offers online study sessions for carers, and carers can order a series of free self-study workbooks on 01223 400393.

Caring for a relative can be a stressful, life consuming task which can make an alternative career very difficult to manage; we would be interested in your views on the state allowance for carers.