UK Disability Resource of Disabled Needs

Not very impressive at all, as usual.

Thank you for your petition that closed on 17 February 2007 concerning Carer's Allowance. I am sorry for the lengthy delay in replying.

The Government does recognise that the care in the community arrangements rely to a great extent on the tremendous personal commitment of those people who are prepared to give their time so freely to their caring role.

Our social security system is one of the very few that has a benefit specifically for carers. The Government do recognise however that Carer's Allowance does not cover lost earnings nor fully compensate people for the time that they spend in such important supportive care. However, carers with limited resources can receive more substantial help from Income Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Pension Credit for those aged 60 and over.

All of these can all be paid at higher rates for carers. The basic Pension Credit guarantee of £114.05 for single pensioners and £174.05 for couples is increased by £26.35 where the additional amount for carers is payable.

Carers now have opportunity to build or to continue to build entitlement to the State Second Pension. In addition, carers will benefit from the proposal in our recent White Paper on Pensions reform to move to 30 qualifying years for a full basic State Pension for people reaching State Pension age on or after 6 April 2010.

The Government are also aware that carers need practical help and the Carers Grant was introduced in 1999 to support councils in providing breaks and services for carers in England. It is worth £185million this year and next year and this means that the Government will have invested over £1billion in support for carers by 2008.

You may be interested to know that, Carer's Allowance, together with many other issues, is being examined as part of the cross-Government review of the National Strategy for Carers, led by the Department of Health. The findings are due to be published in March next year.

Hmm - not good reading.

I personally do not claim carers allowance as TBH - it is a joke amount to me compared to what I was earning before I gave up work. HOWEVER, I am not knocking what is given but wish it was more realistic. I am very very very lucky that I have a career and a hubby who is able to allow me to work the few hours I do.

BUT - for my 4 days work this is my expenditure on care for my family as I am not there:

1. £500 care costs for Dominic as he needs overnight care
2. £40 care costs for Thomas
3. £75 dog walking costs - I know that some of you might not include this but we had dogs before Dom had his accident and before I had Thomas so these are extra costs that we incur due to Dom's disability.

So £75 does not really cover this does it?????? It is really not a true reflection on the costs of care - not one bit.

One of the other things is that as Dom works we are not eligible for many of the other grants available. Again - I count my blessings but feel for people who are not in our position as we, as a family, would not be able to survive on Dom's salary alone.