Carers Set To Lose Benefits When PIP Comes In
Thousands of carers in England, Wales and Scotland are set to lose benefits when new disability-claim rules start.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says 5,000 carers currently eligible for a £58.45 a week allowance will no longer be when personal independence payments replace the disability living allowance this April.
It says the changes are necessary and 20,000 additional carers should gain.
Charity Carers UK says this is “cold comfort” to those who will miss out.
New system
More than a million people receive carer’s allowance. And for about 270,000 of them, this entitlement is dependent on the eligibility for the disability living allowance (DLA) of someone of working age for whom they care.
When DLA is replaced by the personal independence payment (PIP), there will be new rules and assessments to judge who can claim assistance to help them lead an independent life.
If fewer disabled people can claim PIP than are currently receiving DLA, this would have a knock-on effect for their carers.
The DWP says about 76,000 disabled people with carers will be reassessed for PIP.
It believes 25,000 of these people will no longer be entitled to DLA as a result, and their carer will also lose their allowance.
At the same time, another 20,000 carers will be newly awarded an allowance as a result of the PIP reassessment – meaning a net total of 5,000 carers who will miss out.
But Carers UK says this estimate is too low. It says about 10,000 carers – 5,000 carers currently eligible under DLA and 5,000 “future” carers who would also have qualified under the DLA system – stand to lose.
Chief executive Helena Herklots said those families affected by these changes faced a double loss.
“The government is now cutting financial support for carers by £31m – meaning that thousands of families now face the devastating double blow of disability and carers’ benefits.
“This comes on top of cuts to social care services, cuts to housing benefit support for carers who need a separate room to sleep in, forthcoming reductions in support with council tax and thousands of carers who will have their benefits capped – a perfect storm of cuts to families already struggling to care for loved ones
The DWP said that it was investing more than before in carer’s allowance – about £2bn.
A spokesman said: “We’ve also protected the link between carer’s allowance and PIP entitlements, which has been welcomed by charities.
“Furthermore, the universal credit will ensure that those carers on low incomes receive the support they need by allowing them to keep more of their own money as they move into work.
“It will also give carers more flexibility if they need carers breaks.”
Same Difference 
Obviously, if the benefit is no longer awarded, then the benefit for the carer will no longer be paid – this is quite right – how else could it be?! Too many people get DLA – especially the Mobility Component – PIP will hopefully cut the numbers who receive this.
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“It will also give carers more flexibility if they need carers breaks.”
I will believe it when it happens. 25 years I have paid for my own breaks… My daughter has lost the support of Social Care as she no longer comes under their criteria.
I care 24 hours even if she has a milder disability that is rarely seen by others. She can walk and has been able to walk 20 metres for a long time but does not travel alone. I get mild mobility………. I have bought two cars as years have passed as she can’t get to appointments and places she likes to go. Which have had to come out of family income not DLA. So not everyone gets a car……….However by the time she is assessed she may have learnt a few more things and like others will sadly lose her life support.
This comes after I have saved councils a lot of money. I had to give up work for lack of support and my health has suffered………..Time carers had rights.
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