A carer is someone who, without payment, provides help and support to a partner, child, relative, friend or neighbour, who could not manage without their help. This could be due to age, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability. A young carer is a child or young person under the age of 18 carrying out significant caring tasks and assuming a level of responsibility for another person, which would normally be taken by an adult.
Carers allowance - You may eligible for Carer's Allowance if you are aged 16 or over and you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who is ill or disabled.
www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/MoneyMatters/CarersAllowance/index.htm
www.carers.org/articles/carers-allowance,95,CA.html
http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/benefits-and-community-care/care-and-benefits-for-parents-and-carers/carers-allowance.aspx
NEW - Carers Credit
Carer’s Credit has been introduced from 6 April 2010. It is a National Insurance credit which helps carers build up qualifying years for the basic State Pension and additional State Pension.
To qualify for Carer’s Credit you must care for one or more disabled people for a total of 20 hours or more per week. Each person you care for must receive:
•Disability Living Allowance care component at the middle or highest rate; or
•Attendance Allowance at any rate; or
•Constant Attendance Allowance at any rate
Where a person being cared for does not receive an appropriate qualifying benefit, Carer’s Credit can still be awarded if you supply a Care Certificate. This will need to be signed by a health or social care professional (HSCP). www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/MoneyMatters/DG_10038111
More information from Carers UK.
http://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/help-with-money/caring-for-your-pension/carers-credit
Carers assessment - A carer's assessment is your opportunity to tell social services about the things that could make caring easier for you. To arrange for a carers assessment you should contact your local authority Social Services Department. All carers and the tasks they face are different and you may have ideas about the kind of services that would help you.
www.carers.org/articles/carers-assessment,94,CA.html
Sample letters to request an assessment are at the bottom of this next web page.
www.carersuk.org/Information/Helpwithcaring/Carersassessmentguide
Princess Royal Trust for Carers - The Princess Royal Trust for Carers is the largest provider of comprehensive carers support services in the UK.
Carers UK - Carers UK is the voice of carers. We improve carers' lives by providing information and advice and by campaigning for change.
Crossroads Caring For Carers - A Crossroads service is about giving time - improving the lives of carers by giving them a break from their caring responsibilities.
DirectGov - Caring for Someone
www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/index.htm
DirectGov - Caring for a disabled child
www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/CaringForADisabledChild/index.htm
NAS - Social Services - Getting Help for your Child
page checked 29.01.12
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