Carers miss out on £650 DWP cost of living support but there are 10 ways they can save
Nurse: 'Carers get paid less than a paper round'
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Some five million people in the UK are juggling caring responsibilities with work which often means they can’t work as many hours. Carers won’t receive the £650 cost of living support from the Government unless they also claim means tested benefits such as Universal Credit. However, there are at least 10 ways carers can make big savings.
No one can escape the cost of living crisis but those on the lowest incomes are undoubtedly the worst hit.
While carers save the UK more than £530million every day according to Carers UK, half a million of them aren’t claiming Carer’s Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
It could be worth an extra £278 a month and act as a gateway benefit to further financial help.
Additional discounts are also available to carers which could help people save more than £2,000 over the course of a year.
Who can claim Carer’s Allowance?
- People must care for someone for at least 35 hours a week
- They must be aged 16 or over and not in full time education
- Britons can only claim Carer’s Allowance for one person – if the person they are caring for is also on means-tested benefits
- They do not have to be related to, or live with, the person they care for.
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Carer’s may also get Universal Credit payments and help with housing payments, council tax bills and money off their water bill.
On top of this they are also entitled to many discounts that are usually available to NHS workers.
Website Discountforcarers.com offers carers money off car insurance, mobile phones, days out and travel.
Meanwhile, a nurse from Bristol told Express.co.uk how carers are struggling to survive on the minimum wage amid the cost of living crisis.
The 53-year-old nurse said she has never witnessed such poverty in her 30 years as a nurse.
Ann Humphries said: “I’m a nurse so we deal with a lot of carers and the amount of money they get paid per hour is absolutely ridiculous for the job they do – you get more doing a paper round I think.
“Wages need to be increased in line with inflation which is absolutely astronomical.”
Aaron, a carer, said: “I have cut out completely any treats this month to make sure I can pay bills at the end of the month… I am afraid to spend on anything which is not essential.”
Carers may qualify for these additional benefits and freebies:
- Carer’s could get Universal Credit payments from the DWP
- They may also be able to get help with housing payments if they are entitled to Universal Credit
- Some Universal Credit claimants also get help towards their council tax bills
- Check schemes like WaterSure for up to 50 percent off water bills
- People who aren’t eligible for Carer’s Allowance might get the Carer’s Element of Universal Credit
- Discounts on shopping and bills at discountforcarers.com
- A cashback card for carers at discountforcarers.com
- Days out – The National Trust and English Heritage give free entry to carers or companions of disabled visitors.
- A free bus pass – people should see their local council website for details.
- The Cinema Exhibitors’ Association allows a disabled cinema customer to get a complimentary ticket for someone to go with them
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