money matters
CARER’S ALLOWANCE / MONEY NEWS
The six million unpaid carers in the UK save the country billions every year, yet claiming the much-needed financial help on offer from the state is hard, with strict criteria in place. Our columnist proposes a solution
Paul Lewis
illustration PAUL REID
Nearly six million people care for a disabled partner, relative, friend, or neighbour, unpaid, because they believe it is the right thing to do. They save the country an estimated £162 billion a year – about the same as the entire cost of the NHS. But they get little help from the state and the money they might be entitled to is hedged round with so many tests and conditions that many are afraid to claim it. My three-point plan detailed below would help all carers – especially those over pension age.
Carer’s Allowance
Carer’s Allowance is paid to people who care for a severely disabled person for at least 35 hours a week. For that they get just £81.90 a week, which works out at £2.34 an hour. Most carers work far longer than 35 hours and receive even less for each hour of work. Compare that with the minimum wage for people over 21 – called the National Living Wage – of £11.44 an hour. The person they care for must get a disability benefit such as personal independence payment (PIP), attendance allowance, the higher rates of disability living allowance or their Scottish or war pension equivalents.