More than one million unpaid carers could be missing out on more than £2,000 a year, according to new research.
Conducted by later living marketplace Lottie, the research highlights everyday struggled experienced by informal carers who provide vital support to loved ones. According to their new research, the average unpaid carer is missing out on the equivalent of £2,494 a year.
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This includes expenses such as travel, household bills and any equipment needed. In 2021, there were almost 1.2 million unpaid carers aged 65 and over in England and Wales, which is just one in 10 of the older population. Almost half of these are providing more than 50 hours of unpaid care a week. They also provide £193bn of the UK's social care system each year and remain a fundamental part of the healthcare system in this country, reports Express.co.uk.
Chris Donnelly, Lottie co-founder, said: “All too often, the work of informal carers across the country goes unnoticed and unrewarded. Carers - whether paid or unpaid - make an enormous contribution to society and provide invaluable support for their loved ones. We are calling on the Government to better support carers across the country, alongside employers, who can do more to support their employees. There must be changes to the UK’s benefits system to make it easier for carers to access financial assistance, and greater investment in social care to relieve the financial and emotional pressure on informal carers.
“From flexible working hours and paid time off for anyone with caring responsibilities, it is time for employers to step up and recognise the care crisis that’s facing their workforce.”
Carer's Allowance is distributed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and is worth up to £3,991 a year. As inflation rates remain in double digits at 10.1%, this adds more pressure. Carer’s Allowance is paid at £76.75 a week, amounting to around £332 a month. People can choose whether they'd like it paid to them weekly in advance, or every four weeks.
To be eligible for Carer’s Allowance, claimants must first be 16 or over and spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who receives the following means-tested benefits:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - daily living component
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - the middle or highest care rate
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Constant Attendance Allowance at the basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Child Disability Payment - the middle or highest care rate
- Adult Disability Payment - daily living component.
Express.co.uk contacted the DWP for comment.
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