Press Release - Department for Work and Pensions
Supporting Carers to Care
26 February 2009
The majority of carers who receive benefits from the Department
for Work and Pensions (DWP) are satisfied with the support they
receive, worth up to £2 billion a year. The Department is
delivering carers’ benefits effectively and has made improvements
in processing claims in the last few years. But at least a fifth
have difficulties in applying for Carer’s Allowance, a National
Audit Office report has found.
Some carers are confused by the way Carer’s Allowance interacts
with other benefits, including Pension Credit and Income Support.
For example, carers who do not qualify for the full Carer’s
Allowance still have to apply for it in order to get additional
payments available on other benefits such as Income Support or
Jobseeker’s Allowance.
The Department does not know the take-up rate of Carer’s
Allowance. Not all eligible carers apply for the support they are
entitled to because they are not aware of the Allowance; they do
not think they are eligible; they do not think of themselves as
carers; or they choose not to apply because of the possible effect
on the benefits of the person that they care for.
A quarter of those receiving Carer’s Allowance, whom the NAO
surveyed, wanted paid work alongside their caring responsibilities.
Most carers were satisfied with general work-related advice they
received from Jobcentre Plus. But over 70 per cent of those who had
contacted Jobcentre Plus for employment support in the last year
found that its services were not well suited to their personal
circumstance as carers, for example, the need for work with
restricted hours or flexible working patterns.
Only a fifth of Jobcentre Plus staff thought they had all the
skills and knowledge they needed to support carers who want to do
paid work. Advisers are incentivised to help customers get back
into full-time work, but not part-time work, and there is no
particular impetus for Jobcentre Plus to help carers get into work
of this type. Jobcentre Plus staff thought, however, that it would
be possible to provide a better service without significant extra
costs for the DWP, for example, by making flexible working
opportunities easier to identify, or sharing experiences of how
best to meet carers’ needs amongst Jobcentre Plus staff.
The Department has generally worked well with partners in
aligning services for carers across government. It has a range of
relationships with other organisations in national and local
government and with national charities, which have helped in
implementing its policies.
Tim Burr, head of the National Audit Office, said
today:
"DWP’s services for carers are seen in a generally
positive light by those taking them up, but not all eligible carers
know about or take up the support on offer. Applying for Carer’s
Allowance should be more straightforward, and support for carers
seeking work should be more helpful by identifying part-time
opportunities, in line with commitments made in the new National
Strategy for Carers."
Notes for Editors
- There are approximately six million unpaid carers in the UK
looking after family members or friends who are ill or disabled.
This figure is set to grow with an estimated further 1.6 million
adults in need of care by 2026. Almost 900,000 carers receive
support from the DWP, which pays Carer’s Allowance and additional
payments on some other benefits – such as Income Support or Pension
Credit – that carers may qualify for. The DWP also provides
employment support to those who wish to combine paid work with
their caring responsibilities. The Department’s support provides a
means for society to share in the responsibility assumed by those
who care for people who are sick or disabled.
- Carer’s Allowance is paid at £50.55 per week and in order to be
eligible to claim it a carer cannot earn more than £95 per week and
must care for at least 35 hours per week for a person who receives
Disability Living Allowance Care Component at the middle or highest
rate, Attendance Allowance or Constant Attendance Allowance. In May
2008 the Allowance was paid to 481,000 carers. A further 402,000
are theoretically entitled to Carer’s Allowance but, because of
rules about overlapping entitlements to benefits, receive another
benefit instead.
- Carers who satisfy the entitlement rules, whether or not they
are paid Carer’s Allowance, can receive an addition with their
income-related benefits. In May 2008, 469,200 people received this
payment, known as the Carer premium or the Carer’s Additional
Amount. This is worth up to £27.75 per week on Income Support,
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Pension Credit, Housing
Benefit, or Council Tax benefit.
- Press notices and reports are available from the date of
publication on the NAO website, which is at www.nao.org.uk. Hard
copies can be obtained from The Stationery Office on 0845 702
3474.
- The Comptroller and Auditor General, Tim Burr, is the head of
the National Audit Office which employs some 850 staff. He and the
NAO are totally independent of Government. He certifies the
accounts of all Government departments and a wide range of other
public sector bodies; and he has statutory authority to report to
Parliament on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which
departments and other bodies have used their resources.
Press Notice 12/09
All enquiries to Sarah Farndale, NAO Press Office:
Tel: 020 7798 5350
Mobile: 07985 274 421