Saving the UK an estimated £132 billion per year, unpaid carers make an immense contribution to society. However, many people don’t realise that they could receive financial support in the form of Carers allowance. Carer’s Allowance is a payment that unpaid carers could get if they care for a person who gets certain benefits. The rules determining Carer’s Allowance have temporarily changed in the United Kingdom due to COVID – what is now seen as necessary during a lockdown? Carer’s Allowance can still be claimed, contrary to much popular belief, even if the said carer doesn’t live with the person they care for and it is not a necessity for them to be related.
The payment, paid currently (Feb 2021) at a weekly rate of £67.25, can be accepted either weekly in advance or every four weeks – it is up to the claimant to choose which option they would prefer. The money will then be paid into an account, such as the person’s bank account. At least 35 hours of caring per week would have to take place.
Information and Support
If you need urgent help, organisations who can help you get the support you need out of hours:
NHS 111 service
Just dial 111 if you are feeling unwell and need a telephone health assessment
Samaritans
Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – call free anytime, from any phone on 116 123
Social services.
If your normal office is closed and you need urgent help, then you need to find the emergency duty team. There is no national number so you will have to search out local services online. An easy way is to search online for “emergency duty team” and the name of your local council.
Carers UK
Telephone Helpline is available on 0808 808 7777 from Monday to Friday, 9 am – 6 pm or see www.carersuk.org/local-support, which have detailed support information available where you live, such as accessing carers’ assessments, emergency card schemes and local respite services.
Age UK
A charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life www.ageuk.org.uk. Call 0800 055 6112 (England), 0800 022 3444 (Wales), 0800 124 4222 (Scotland), 0808 808 7575 (Northern Ireland).
Citizens Advice
Provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice in England, Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland www.citizensadvice.org.uk.
Contact
A national charity that supports the families of children with additional needs in England, Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland www.contact.org.uk. Call 0808 808 3555 or email helpline@contact.org.uk. In Northern Ireland, emergency social work contacts can be found by going to www.hscni.net and finding your Trust website.
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
The government official responsible for dealing with complaints about state services:
England, Wales & Scotland www.ombudsman.org.uk Call 0345 015 4033 (textphone: 0300 061 4298); Northern Ireland www.nipso.org.uk/ Call 0800 343424 (textphone: 028 90897789).
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