Helping unpaid carers receive the support they deserve
Unpaid carers in Oxfordshire are being urged to come forward and check if they’re receiving all the support that they are entitled to.
As part of Carers Week with the theme ‘putting carers on the map’, Oxfordshire County Council, together with Carers Oxfordshire, is highlighting the package of support available to carers, to help them continue to undertake the invaluable work they do.
Karen Fuller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Adult Social Care, said: “Unpaid carers contribute enormously to our health and social care system by providing personalised support to people close to them.
“However, because of the special relationship they might have – perhaps being a family member or close friend – they often don’t consider themselves as having a formal caring role and might be unaware of the range of support entitled to them.
“This Carers Week, I would encourage anyone who has an unpaid caring role in Oxfordshire to take a moment to stop and check what might be available to them, helping to support them to continue to do their vital role.”
There is financial, practical, and emotional support available to unpaid carers, much of which is provided by Carers Oxfordshire, a partnership between Action for Carers Oxfordshire and Rethink Mental Illness, with funding support from Oxfordshire County Council.
Carers Oxfordshire provides specialist support to help unpaid carers to find solutions that can make caring easier, including:
· CarersLine – the team is available to listen and help Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm.
· Carer assessments – identifying any help unpaid carers may be eligible to receive.
· Support groups – where carers can talk to others who may understand.
· Carer ID – to prove carer status and access support and discounts.
· Time for you – a range of offers to give unpaid carers time for themselves.
Unpaid carers, and those they care for, may also be entitled to a range of financial support, with many unpaid carers qualifying for carer’s allowance. There is a cap on benefits in some circumstances, so carers are advised to check the criteria first.
Carer’s allowance is a weekly payment of £81.90 for people who spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone in receipt of certain benefits. They must also earn £151 or less a week, after tax, National Insurance and expenses. Carer’s allowance is a complex benefit that overlaps with some payments, such as the state pension. Claiming it can affect the benefits of the person being cared for if the person providing support does not live with them. In these circumstances, it’s important to get specific advice before applying. For information visit gov.uk/carers-allowance or call 0800 731 0297.
Juliet Cocks, Head of Service for Carers Oxfordshire, said: “You are an unpaid carer if you have someone who relies on you to stay safe and well. They could be a neighbour, friend, family member or anyone else who cannot manage without your help.
“At Carers Oxfordshire we’d love more people to come forward and identify themselves as unpaid carers so that we can let them know what is available and provide appropriate support.
“Unpaid carers don’t need to feel alone. These carers are doing something incredible, and we want them to feel noticed and supported. I’d urge anyone who thinks they may be an unpaid carer to reach out to us.”
More information about the support available to unpaid carers can be found on the Carers Oxfordshire website.
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