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Who
cares?
Please note, this page is a summary of the full conference speech (click here for the full transcript).
Jane Atha
Social worker James Cook University Hospital, Renal Unit, Middlesborough
Every year 301,000 people became carers, with many giving up work to care. Carers UK had published.a report this year called 'Without Us', showing the value of carers' support to local authorities in monetary terms.
"For example, in Middlesbrough where I come from the value is put at £101.4m to the local authority," said Ms Atha.
"The report stated that carers save the State £57.4bn a year. This is the equivalent cost of the NHS every year."
A national strategy document 'Caring about Carers' published in 1999 highlighted the need for carers to have their own needs met. It led to the Carers and Disabled Children's Act 2000 which came into force in April 2001. It gave anybody caring for somebody the right to an assessment of needs in their own right and for these needs to be met.
Invalid care allowance was a weekly benefit for carers. You might be able to get this if the person you cared for was getting disability living allowance at the middle or higher rate of attendance allowance, and you spent 35 hours a week looking after the person. There was no age limit on claiming this benefit any more and you could earn up to about £75 a week in addition. Invalid care allowance was taxable.
"It's important to seek advice about claiming invalid care allowance," said Ms Atha, "For even if you cannot receive it due to other benefits that you're getting, you may have an underlying entitlement to it, which means that you will receive a National Insurance credit which protects your State retirement pension."
Disability living allowance was a non means tested benefit for people under 65 who required help with their personal care needs or who had mobility difficulties, and attendance allowance gave similar benefits to people over 65.
"Claiming benefits can be a minefield," said Ms Atha.
"Suffice to say that help is at hand through your local council welfare rights unit, Citizens Advice or the Benefits Agency."
It was often the lack of basic helpful information that made caring harder than it should be.
"There are many websites and it's worth a browse at your local library if not at home," said Ms Atha.
"Your local Kidney Patients' Association should have the information about support groups in the area, a list of people in the same boat as you, willing to give time to talk and share experiences. Social services is the place to contact to request a carer's assessment in your own right, getting information on direct payments, and they also have welfare rights units to assist with benefit claims."
The Princess Royal Trust provided free and confidential help for all carers. Carers UK was a national organisation lobbying for recognition of carers and they also produced a lot of information. Citizens' Advice Bureaux and GP surgeries had useful information on local carers' centres. The British Association of Counselling would give advice on counselling services in your area.
"And don't forget your own renal unit," said Ms Atha
"Encourage health care staff to think of you as a partner in caring, to share information and be involved in treatment plans."
Useful contacts (please note these links will open in a new browser window)
www.carersonline.org.uk
www.crosssroads.org.uk
www.carers.org
www.pensionguide.gov.uk
www.carers.gov.uk
www.dss.gov.ukBritish Association of Counselling: 08788 550 899
Benefits Enquiry Line: Freephone: 0800 882200
Princess Royal Trust for Carers: 020 7480 7788
Please note, this page is a summary of the full conference speech (click here for the full transcript).
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