Should government be in court over carers allowance.

[Davek723]

Here's my thoughts.

So you receive around £65 a week for caring for an elderly relative , that person has to sign to say you give 37.5 hour of care per week. So a fab total of

£1.77 per hour. You are also told you cannot earn

More than £120 or your not entitled to claim.

So let's say you do 14 hours for £120 , add 37.5 hours of care thats 51.5 hours for £185 , this is

£3.60 an hour. Wow. Think minimum wage is over £8 per hour.

Now people who get carers in who do get minimum wage, which is fine , but the agency who employs the carer receives around £18 per hour from the government.

Surely to reduce the problems with care for the elderly , which is a huge problem ,it would be better to pay the carer minimum wage.

This would then allow them to give up work to care for their mum dad partner etc. It would also free up a job for someone else. So getting someone else into work.

It would reduce the amount paid to agency staff

So win win all around.

Not sure if im being to sensible here or if im on the right track. But surely no one should be on £1.77 an hour and expect to survive.

All thought shares will be appreciated because im seriously considering taking this to a solicitor and having a go at the system.

Many thanks Dave.

[Bananas5]

Not sure this is allowed as political but....

once you reach state pension age you can no longer receive CA.

In cases where outside paid carers come in the clients ae means tested to contribute towads cost of care. This care is met by LA not government.

In some cases where eligible Direct Payments are made.

If you yourself are in receipt of ESA you can not claim CA.

Believe me we have fought for years for carers to get a decent wage but nothing changes. We do it cos we do...never for financial reward

x

[Davek723 in reply to Bananas5]

Cheers for the reply, I was kind of talking about people under the age of retirement claiming for an elderly parent , I do get what your saying about not for financial reward and to be honest we would do it anyway. It's more about the amount of care that is compulsory to get the pittance that is the point.

Im sure lots of families out there would happily care for their elderly relatives but simply cannot afford the time off to do this properly, while earning enough to keep their own family.

I just see it as a way better way off people getting care and reducing the amount paid by what ever government body.

Im also sure it would take alot of stress away from the carer.

In our case I know that our relative much prefers us caring for them , rather than a stranger who pops in for 15 mins at a time.

Just feel there is an easier better way for all involved.

Thanks again for the reply.

[Hidden in reply to Davek723]

Well said 😉

[Hidden]

Spot on .

[Davek723 in reply to Hidden]

Think if someone earned this amount in a sweat shop there would be hell on lol

[Tinker2015]

I use to be a carer for my daughter has she has a mental illness. When I turned 60 it went still classed as carer but no extra cash. So my basic pension cancelled it out. I think that’s wrong

[Davek723 in reply to Tinker2015]

Yes another excuse not to pay you your pension.

The more people write the more mad it gets you.

And if you dont do the caring then the elderly have to pay. It's a shame younger people don't realise that they too will become old and probably need care at some point. Most younger people don't see that. So don't bother whats happening to elderly care or carers in this country.

[Sallyderek]

Brilliant idea👏👏👏

[Hidden]

Hi

It's unbelievable that you get such a small amount, how do they expect you to live on or someone close to them who needed to claim. Take care Lynne

[Davek723]

It is thats why I posted on here as I'm sure there are many carers or people being cared for on here.

Think you need to 2 hours care to just about afford a single cup of coffee from costa.

Bit of perspective.

Thanks all

[CanuckAnon]

Sounds like NHS is as backwards as canada’s So called universal health. Here the caregiver allowance is tied to disability of infirm person. So it’s not even an allowance per say. I find Health care system is geared towards home care contractors over family as it enriches outside agencies and screws over family. U only qualify for subsidy if u are on social payments, extended private health coverage only covers a pittance so it seems many go without home care or stay in hospital instead of going home which is another issue in itself.

I think for sure NHS should be brought to answer for this discrepancy. What are we paying for with the massive amounts of tax$ we are giving gov’t! In Canada it seems fake refugees get more benefits over Canadian citizens who paid into programs all their lives or served in military. I’m assuming the same is true in UK but I will admit your programs seem to cover more than here.