Carers: know what you are entitled to
8th December 2006
Alan Whitehead MP has added his support to a national campaign on Friday 8th December 2006 to help the one in three carers that are not claiming all the benefits they are entitled to. The campaign, run by Carers UK, seeks to increase the take-up of benefits and raise awareness of carers’ rights and the support that they might be able to get.
Carers are entitled not only to financial support, but may also be entitled to help in the home from local councils and associated bodies. But up to £740 million worth of carers’ benefits still goes unclaimed each year.
Key findings in a new report, published today by Carers UK, show that 65 per cent of carers did not recognise themselves as such in the first year of caring: for a third (32 per cent) recognition took over five years. As a consequence, one in three (33 per cent) believed they had missed out on benefits and pension entitlements, the majority (58 per cent) for over three years.
Dr Whitehead said:
"Almost 7000 people in Southampton take on some new form of caring responsibility each year. But many people don’t realise that they could be getting more practical and financial help. £740 million worth of carers’ benefits go unclaimed each year. This could be providing vital income as well as protecting carers’ pensions in retirement.”
He added:
“The government is doing more to pay back carers for the contribution they make- and next year carers’ will get the right to ask for flexible working hours, just like parents. But more must be done. The government has pledged to pay carers’ national insurance contributions to make sure carers get a decent pension. That promise now needs to be turned into action.”
Carers can order a free booklet called Looking after someone: a guide to carers’ rights and benefits from Carers UK, by visiting www.carersuk.org or calling the free phone hotline on 0808 808 7777.
More information
- The seventh annual Carers Rights Day, a national awareness day organised by Carers UK, will be held on 8th December 2006.
- Read about Alan's work during Carers Week 2006 to encourage carers to get health checks
- If you are a carer living in Southampton, or if you know someone who is, you can call Carers Together Southampton on 023 8051 0492 to get information on available support.
- According to the 2001 National Census, 18,155 people in Southampton- one in twelve- are carers. 6717 people took on new caring responsibilities in that year.
- Further information on issues affecting carers can be found at the Carers UK website www.carersuk.org.