Carers Allowance is a social welfare payment in the UK providing financial support to people undertaking at least 35 hours per week of unpaid care for a disabled loved one. With approximately 6.5 million unpaid carers in the UK, Carers Allowance recognizes the invaluable contribution of those who devote time to caring for family or friends.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for Carers Allowance, the carer must:
- Spend at least 35 hours per week caring for the recipient
- Be aged 16 or over
- Earn no more than £128 per week from other sources such as employment
- Care for an individual receiving certain disability-related benefits like Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance
The disability benefits confirm the care recipient requires a high level of care and supervision in daily living. A carer cannot receive Carers Allowance if they are studying full-time. However, short approved training courses are permitted providing care continues.
The 35 hour minimum makes Carers Allowance an acknowledgement of continuous, intensive care. It excludes those providing lower levels of occasional or temporary care. Applying requires submitting detailed care plans demonstrating the eligibility criteria are met.
Rates and Payment
Carer' Allowance currently pays £69.70 per week to approved applicants. This basic rate can mean choosing between poverty or giving up vital caring roles. Carer advocates campaign for higher payments given carers save the UK an estimated £530 million per week.
Around 3 in 10 eligible carers do not claim Carers Allowance, often due to lack of awareness. Payments are taxable and can impact other benefit entitlements. Recipients cannot normally work full-time or claim unemployment benefits.
Caring that Causes Hardship
Caring unrelentingly for loved ones often means carers suffer social isolation, mental and physical health strains, and poverty. Carers UK estimates over 600 people per day quit jobs to become unpaid carers. Many see their financial futures compromised.
Carers Allowance provides a lifeline. But juggling intensive caring with part-time work to make ends meet brings enormous stress. Greater government support enables carers to maintain health, wellbeing and participation in the workforce.
Increasing Support
While Carers Allowance has shortcomings, it remains an important acknowledgement of carers’ contributions. Alongside the allowance, other measures can better support carers:
- Flexible working arrangements like part-time, remote work or compressed hours
- Paid care leave entitlements through employers
- Respite care giving carers short breaks from caring duties
- Practical employment support like skills training, job coaching
- Advice on balancing work, life and caring responsibilities
- Specific employment benefits like paid sick days or insurance protection
- Tax credits, pensions and benefits tailored to carers
- Access to counselling, peer groups and carer networks
- Needs assessments determining impacts of caring on health and wellbeing
With compassionate, holistic support like this, the invaluable work of unpaid carers does not have to come at the expense of careers and finances. Our ageing society with growing care needs depends on carers getting adequate assistance to make caring sustainable. Alongside financial help, supporting carer respite, employment rights and networks creates a more caring society.
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