Carers leave £5.6m unclaimed

CARERS in Oldham are missing out on millions of pounds worth of support, a leading charity has revealed.

Carers UK says a lack of advice leaves families without financial support as they struggle with spiralling living costs.

In Oldham, 1,669 people have missed out on £5,186,300 in unclaimed carer’s allowance - the main benefit for those caring for older, seriously ill or disabled loved ones.

The group’s survey highlights how a lack of financial support and rising living costs are hitting carers hard — 40 per cent are in debt as a result of their duties, one in seven owing over £10,000.

While carer’s allowance remains the lowest benefit of its kind at £59.75 a week for 35 hours or more of work.