3 December 2002
CARE ALLOWANCE EXTENDED TO OVER 65’s
"For the first time, people over 65 are now recognised as carers and are entitled to benefit", John Hunter, the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Social Development said today.
Mr Hunter was speaking at an event to mark National Carers Rights Day.
He said: "The changes to Invalid Care Allowance from the 28 October 2002 mean that an additional 5000 carers are entitled to benefit. The Invalid Care Allowance is paid to those who look after a relative or friend who need help because of a physical or mental illness or disability or have learning difficulties.
"There is no such thing as a typical carer. They come from all backgrounds, all ages and both sexes. Through events like Carers’ Rights Day, carers will be able to recognise the help and services they need and are entitled to.
"My Department has produced a Carers’ Rights pack in partnership with Carers’ Northern Ireland. This is an important step in making sure that carers are aware of their rights and the pack provides them with information on how to access public services."
Tom McNeill, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Carers’ Committee, said: "Too many carers in Northern Ireland have been struggling on for too long without the benefits they are entitled to or the information that will help them access the support they need. That’s why we’ve organised Carers Rights Day. We want to reach out to all those carers who don’t know their rights and in partnership with the Social Security Agency make sure that everyone who could benefit from the changes actually gets to take it up."
Copies of the new leaflet entitled "Important Information for Carers" can be obtained from Social Security or Jobs and Benefits offices. It can also be viewed on the Social Security Agency’s website:
www.ssani.gov.uk or requested by telephone from 028 90 439843.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- Changes to the Invalid Carer Allowance (ICA) benefit rules were made by the Regulatory Reform (Carer's Allowance) Order 2002 and took effect from 28 October 2002.
- The changes mean that existing ICA rules now apply to carers aged 65 or over; benefit is extended for eight weeks if the person being cared for dies and the name of the benefit will be changed from ICA to Carer's Allowance from April 2003.
- Claims will be subject to the same rules that apply to younger carers and other benefits will continue to affect payment of ICA as they do now.
- ICA recipients are now able to earn £75.00 a week after allowable expenses without their allowance being withdrawn. All those who are able to combine working and caring could benefit from this measure. The carer premium paid with income related benefits has been substantially increased and is now £24.80 a week;
- The present weekly rate of ICA is £42.45
Additions: Dependent adult £25.35
Eldest child £ 9.65
Other children £11.35
Weekly rate of Carer Premium £24.80
- Carers who already receive benefits such as the State Pension or Bereavement Benefits may not be able to receive ICA, but they retain entitlement to it. This gives them access to the carer premium paid with income related benefits, such as Minimum Income Guarantee, Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance (income based), Housing Benefit.
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