A report "Counting the Cost of Caring" says financial pressure affects health, wealth and wellbeing of carers.
A survey of over 4,000 carers by Carers UK for Carers Rights Day on Friday has found that almost 47% were being made ill by money worries.
Compared to other parts of the UK, carers in Northern Ireland also reported significantly higher levels of fuel poverty, with 68% in fuel poverty, 10% more than in Scotland, which was next highest.
Carers are facing bleak choices as they struggle to care for their sick and disabled relatives, with nearly half of those surveyed saying money worries were affecting their health.
The financial toll of caring was stark, with almost 43% of Northern Irish carers reporting on cutting back on essentials like food and heating to make ends meet.
The survey, which took place between September 2010 and July 2011, found that over 70% had cut back on holidays, leisure activities, buying clothes and going out with friends and family.
Carers struggle to work and care, and an estimated one million across the UK have given up work or reduced their hours, losing an average of £11,000 a year. On top of lost earnings, illness and disability also bring increased costs for higher household bills, specialist equipment, foods, medicines, additional care and extra transport.
Money worries cause stress, and more carers in Northern Ireland than anywhere else 51%, felt that money worries were affecting their health.
Helen Ferguson, Director of Carers Northern Ireland said: "These figures make disturbing reading there are an estimated 207,000 people in Northern Ireland providing unpaid care and they are saving the economy £4.4bn each year - at a time when the entire DHSSPS spend on Health and Social Care is £4.66bn. It is a scandal that, despite this contribution, carers end up sick with worry about how to make ends meet".
"We also need radical reform of carers' benefits to stop families who care falling into poverty. Because the system is so complex, many people struggle to access the benefits they need. Getting the right advice at the right time is hard, which is why we hold Carers Rights Day to let people know about the support that is available," Ms Ferguson added.
Source: UTV
