Vital carers get ‘advice and support’

MORE than 7,900 Oldhamers are unpaid carers for ill or disabled relatives and friends, new figures show.

The research, from charity Carers UK, estimates that over 1.2 million people in the North-West will become unpaid carers in the next five years - many of them under-equipped to deal with the challenges.

The figures highlight how an ageing population will increase pressure on families to provide care and support for loved ones.

Carers UK chief executive Heléna Herklots said: “Taking on a new caring role can happen quite suddenly and people can be thrown into a situation which turns their lives upside down. It’s vital that anyone caring for a loved one seeks advice to ensure they are getting the services and support they are entitled to.”

The charity is calling on public bodies to make a number of changes to help carers get support. These include a legal duty on health and education professionals to support carers, improved access to information and better working between Government departments.

Studies have shown £1.1 billion in carer’s allowances are unclaimed every year - and 42 per cent of carers have missed out on financial support because they lack the information to claim.

In the North-West, an estimated 48,200 carers are missing out on £150 million in unclaimed carer’s allowance.

The allowance is currently £61.35 a week. Though it isn’t means-tested, earnings can affect entitlement.

Carers must meet these criteria: looking after someone who gets a qualifying disability benefit; caring for 35 hours a week or more; the carer must be 16 or over and not in full-time education; must earn £102 or less each week after deductions, and must satisfy UK residence conditions.
Help with council tax, fuel costs, pensions and other health costs are also available to some carers.