Carer Support Cumbria (CSC)are working to provide help, advice and support for unpaid Carers who have been received Carers’ Allowance overpayments by the Department of Work and Pensions.
The Carer Support organisations who work with CSC are also calling on people to support the nation petition, set up by Carer Poverty Coalition, calling for reform of the Carer’s Allowance.
Earlier this month, the Government announced a £250 million overpayment of Carer’s Allowance, and more than 134,000 people across the country who provide unpaid Carer for family members and friends are being forced to payback part of what they had been paid.
CEO of Carer Support Carlisle and Eden, Dr Dani Leslie said: “The debts unpaid Carers are incurring are through no fault of their own, and this is leaving Carers saddled with huge debts and some with criminal convictions.
“Five years ago, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) promised to fix the problem that means Carers are not immediately alerted when they earn more than the £151-per-week limit that renders them eligible for Carer’s Allowance.
“These overpayments are causing a lot of distress for unpaid Carers. Carers Support Carlisle and Eden, South Lakeland, West Cumbria and Furness are all here to provide advice and support to unpaid Carers, and if they are worried about overpayments, we urge them to get in touch with their local Carer Support organisation.
“In Cumbria, more than 56,000 people are providing unpaid Care for family and friends. The stress and pressure of providing unpaid Care and working to pay the bills is a huge struggle for many people in Cumbria, not only financially but often emotionally too.
“A survey by the charity Carers UK shows one in six (16%) of unpaid Carers are now in debt as they try to manage their monthly costs.
“Those receiving Carer’s Allowance – just £69.75 a week for people providing 35 hours or more of unpaid care each week – are worst affected.Two-in-five (40%) of Carers receiving Carer’s Allowance are in debt as they try to manage their costs.
“This is why we are also supporting the call by the Carer Poverty Coalition to review the Carer’s Allowance. The petition has over 5,000 signatures, but needs to be over 10,000 to push for another Government debate on the issue.
Information about volunteering opportunities across Cumbria are available via the Carer Support Cumbria website www.carerssupportcumbria.org.uk
The petition on reforming Carer’s Allowance is available via https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/660485
