Sheffield unpaid carer calls on government to make carers allowance available for all

An unpaid Sheffield carer has spoken out about the ‘unfair’ carers allowance which she is not eligible for, despite caring for her former husband for over 35 hours a week.
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The 65-year-old unpaid carer, who wishes to remain anonymous, is calling on the government to change the benefit’s eligibility criteria so all carers can receive compensation – regardless of their income.

Carer’s allowance of up to £67.25 a week is currently only available for those who spend at least 35 hours each week caring for someone and earn £128 or less a week, after tax, National Insurance and expenses.

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The anonymous carer who also works in a Sheffield secondary school, is not eligible for the allowance despite caring for her former partner who became disabled after he had an operation on his pituitary gland in 2005.

A Sheffield unpaid carer has called on the government to make the allowance available for all carers.A Sheffield unpaid carer has called on the government to make the allowance available for all carers.
A Sheffield unpaid carer has called on the government to make the allowance available for all carers.

She has been caring for her ex partner who struggles to walk for the last five years – spending more than 35 hours a week after work, doing his shopping, managing bills and cleaning.

"You can't get any support while you are working but you can't take a cut in your wage just to get carer's allowance because it isn't enough, it's not reliable, it’s unfair.

"When other people can get it and you can't because you're working it makes you feel undervalued and penalised.”

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The Sheffield school worker is now urging the government to make the allowance not means-tested to compensate carers who are estimated to save the economy £132 billion per year, according to Carers UK.

A spokesperson from the Department for Work and Pensions said: “Carer’s Allowance is designed to boost the income of those who give up their time, and often work, to help care for a loved one and since 2010 rates have increased by £700 a year.

“For those who need extra support we offer additional premiums in means-tested benefits worth up to almost £2,000 every year, with carers on Universal Credit also benefiting from a recent rise worth up to an extra £1,040.

“We keep the Carers Allowance earnings limit under regular review and have increased the limit by 6% over the last two years, meaning more money in the pockets of our carers.”

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