Can I claim carers allowance?
Carers Allowance is the only benefit aimed specifically at
carers and it is intended to replace the wages you might otherwise
earn from a job if you were not caring. It is a weekly taxable
benefit but does not depend on your record of paying national
insurance contributions.
You can get Carers Allowance if you are of working age and:
•The person you care for gets the Higher or Middle rate Care
Component of Disability Living Allowance or Attendance
Allowance
•You care for the person at least 35 hours a week (although you
don't have to be living in the same house with the person you care
for)
•You are aged 16 or over; you live in the UK and you are not in
full-time education
•You do not earn more than £95 per week from paid work Carers
Allowance overlaps with some benefits, for example retirement
pension, and you can't be paid both benefits - you'll be paid the
highest. If you can't be paid Carers Allowance due to the
overlapping benefits rule, you will have an underlying entitlement
to it which can help with other benefits.
If you think there is any possibility that you are not getting
all the benefits to which you are entitled, contact
Care Connect for
information about local benefits advisory services.
More information is available in our
Benefits and allowances factsheet.
Is there anyone I can talk
to?
Sometimes it can feel as though you're the only one out there
and it can be helpful to talk to someone about your caring
situation. There are several support organisations for carers in
North Somerset who can offer advice, information, practical and
emotional support to carers. They can also put you in touch with
other carers who will understand your situation.
Ring
Crossroads Care North Somerset on 01934 411 855. If you are
caring for someone with dementia please ring
Alzheimers Society on 01934 514 977.
What is a carers assessment?
Carers have a legal right to an assessment of their needs if
they provide a substantial amount of care on a regular basis. A
Carers Assessment is an opportunity to
discuss your caring situation and the sort of help that you need
with caring. You can also discuss any help that would maintain
your own health and balance caring with other aspects of your
life, like work and family.
To request a Carers Assessment by Adult Social Services please
contact Care Connect on 01934 888 801. To request a Carers
Assessment by Crossroads' FISS team (Flexible Individual Support
Scheme) please ring 01934 411 858.
What if the person I care for doesn't want
anything to do with Adult Care Services?
You can have a carer’s assessment by yourself, looking at your
own needs, even if the person you care for won’t have an assessment
and doesn’t want any services. After the carer’s assessment you may
be able to get a service just for yourself.
How do I get help in an
emergency?
Many carers worry what will happen to the person they care for
if they themselves have an accident or medical emergency. In
response to this North Somerset Council has launched the Carers
Emergency Response Service (CERS) to give carers the reassurance
that, should they be involved in an accident, the emergency
services will ensure the person they care for is informed and
receives assistance. This service is run in partnership with North
Somerset Crossroads and Carelink, the Council’s 24-hour response
service. Joining the scheme is open to any carer who looks after
someone who lives in North Somerset.
This scheme is free. For further information or to join the CERS
scheme please ring Crossroads Care North Somerset on 01934 411
855.
Can carers get direct
payments?
Carers can sometimes get Direct Payments - money to
arrange their own carers' services. You need to talk to your Adult
Care Services worker about it when you have your carer's
assessment. People with disabilities can also get Direct Payments
to arrange their own services. Further details about this are in a
factsheet called
Direct Payments.
How Do I arrange a break from
caring?
Respite care can be provided on a short term basis for
those who live at home so that carers can have a break from caring.
Some people prefer the term "short breaks" to respite. Short breaks
are usually for shorter periods of care for a few hours or a couple
of days. Respite is usually longer periods of alternative care.
More information is available in our factsheet
Respite and Short Term Breaks. If you think
that you or someone you are caring for needs a break contact
Care
Connect.
