Jessica O'ConnorMPs are being asked to show their support for carers’ benefits ahead of the second reading of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill.
Charity Carers UK said it is deeply concerned to see the Government pressing ahead with plans which will see future claimants lose their entitlement to carers’ benefits, representing a reduction in financial support for carers.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help with extra living costs if you have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability.
It is also a ‘gateway benefit’ for Carer’s Allowance – to claim Carer’s Allowance you must spend at least 35 hours caring for someone and they must receive a relevant disability benefit, such as the daily living component of PIP.
Carer’s Allowance remains the lowest benefit of its kind at £83.30 per week, but it is still a crucial benefit in the UK providing financial support for those who face additional bills associated with their caring role, long hours of care and limited access to flexible, paid employment resulting in a higher likelihood of financial hardship.
Around 12,000 people become an unpaid carer every day in the UK. Whilst the Government has agreed to protect existing claimants on PIP, the Bill as it stands will still include the new four-point rule for PIP.
This will tighten the eligibility criteria and mean that many new claimants will lose out on PIP and Carer’s Allowance as a result.
Carers UK analysis showed that families who lose eligibility to both PIP and Carer’s Allowance will stand to lose over £8,000 a year, pushing more people into poverty.
1.2 million unpaid carers live in poverty, and 400,000 live in deep poverty in the UK.
The charity has called on the Government to reconsider its forthcoming legislation, particularly the tightening of the eligibility criteria for daily living component of PIP which will require new claimants to score four points in any single assessment category to receive the benefit.
Carers UK said it wants the Government to improve carers’ benefits to combat carer poverty, rather than cut them.
It has called for a separate stream of engagement with unpaid carers considering the impacts of the PIP review and is also calling for a full review of Carer’s Allowance.
Helen Walker, chief executive at Carers UK, said: “Unpaid carers are already on an unequal footing as it costs more to care. We remain deeply concerned about future carers.
“The bill as it stands still represents a reduction in funding and a bleak outlook for those becoming a carer for the first time who find that they aren’t entitled to the same support.
“We feel strongly that the Government’s proposals on reforming disability benefits do not fully consider the full picture for future carers. These carers will be providing at least 35 hours of care per week making it extremely difficult to work as a result and with no recognition or financial support.
“Nearly half of UK adults say that their health has been impacted since caring. Without the right support, sadly this will only get worse.
“Carers tell us that without financial support for the person they care for, they are likely to become more ill resulting in many more hours spent caring. With unpaid carers in this country already at breaking point, these proposals are too high a price to pay.”
