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Call for 'better deal for carers' | Call for 'better deal for carers' |
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Charities including Carers UK, Mencap and the Alzheimer's Society have called for a better deal for unpaid carers. | Charities including Carers UK, Mencap and the Alzheimer's Society have called for a better deal for unpaid carers. |
The alliance of nine organisations wants an increase in the Carer's Allowance from £53.10 a week to the state pension level of £95.25. | The alliance of nine organisations wants an increase in the Carer's Allowance from £53.10 a week to the state pension level of £95.25. |
They also want a change in the current situation where people earning above £95 a week lose the benefit completely. | They also want a change in the current situation where people earning above £95 a week lose the benefit completely. |
The government has set a target of 2018, by which time it says no carers should suffer financial hardship. | The government has set a target of 2018, by which time it says no carers should suffer financial hardship. |
Ease strain | Ease strain |
But, the charities are demanding urgent action to increase Carer's Allowance and make it available to more people. | But, the charities are demanding urgent action to increase Carer's Allowance and make it available to more people. |
The allowance is designed to help ease the strain of additional costs, working part-time or not being able to work at all because of the need to care for a loved one. | The allowance is designed to help ease the strain of additional costs, working part-time or not being able to work at all because of the need to care for a loved one. |
Carers cannot wait. They are falling into poverty and financial hardship now, and need urgent action Imelda RedmondChief executive, Carers UK | Carers cannot wait. They are falling into poverty and financial hardship now, and need urgent action Imelda RedmondChief executive, Carers UK |
But the charities say carers do not receive enough money and that many of them are struggling to cover their outgoings. | But the charities say carers do not receive enough money and that many of them are struggling to cover their outgoings. |
They also say most carers do not qualify for the allowance at all because of the current rules. | They also say most carers do not qualify for the allowance at all because of the current rules. |
People have to be caring for someone for at least 35 hours a week and earn no more than £95 a week to get the benefit. | People have to be caring for someone for at least 35 hours a week and earn no more than £95 a week to get the benefit. |
The amount received from other benefits, including the state pension, is also deducted from the allowance. | The amount received from other benefits, including the state pension, is also deducted from the allowance. |
Financial hardship | Financial hardship |
The nine charities have launched a "Carer Poverty Charter", calling upon the government to "set out an urgent timetable of action to improve carers' benefits and income". | The nine charities have launched a "Carer Poverty Charter", calling upon the government to "set out an urgent timetable of action to improve carers' benefits and income". |
THE CARER CHARTER CHARITIES Alzheimer's SocietyCarers UKCounsel and CareCrossroads Caring for CarersEvery Disabled Child MattersMencapPrincess Royal Trust for CarersRethinkVitalise | THE CARER CHARTER CHARITIES Alzheimer's SocietyCarers UKCounsel and CareCrossroads Caring for CarersEvery Disabled Child MattersMencapPrincess Royal Trust for CarersRethinkVitalise |
Carers UK chief executive Imelda Redmond said: "Government has promised a review of carers' benefits and pledged that by 2018 carers won't be forced into financial hardship by caring. | Carers UK chief executive Imelda Redmond said: "Government has promised a review of carers' benefits and pledged that by 2018 carers won't be forced into financial hardship by caring. |
"Carers cannot wait. They are falling into poverty and financial hardship now, and need urgent action." | "Carers cannot wait. They are falling into poverty and financial hardship now, and need urgent action." |
A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "We want to create a system of carers' benefits that is able to provide effective support where it is most needed and that can adapt to the extensive range of needs that carers have." | A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "We want to create a system of carers' benefits that is able to provide effective support where it is most needed and that can adapt to the extensive range of needs that carers have." |
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