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How carers' rights and entitlements will be changing
As part of this year's Carers Rights Day, we are highlighting some of the ways that carers' rights and entitlements will be changing
Don't forget to sign up your carer organisation here
There are a whole host of benefit changes that you need to be aware of and prepare people for in the coming months. Here are some of the main changes in benefits, where to get extra resources and how to take action. It is vital that carers and their families are well-advised and make the most of the changes so they can plan their finances, work and family life well.
Benefits cap
This limits the total amount of benefits that working age individuals and their families can receive each week.
Housing Benefit size criteria (also known as Bedroom Tax)
This limits the amount of Housing Benefit that individuals and families can receive. The amount of Housing Benefit you get will be reduced if the local council decides that you have a “spare” bedroom in your home.
Carers UK have produced a toolkit to help people challenge Bedroom Tax decisions and information about how to apply for Discretionary Housing Payments – which can help meet the shortfall if the Bedroom Tax is applied.
Click here to view our Challenging a Bedroom Tax Decision Toolkit »
Help with Council Tax
The Council Tax Benefit scheme has been replaced by local Council Tax Reduction Schemes.
Click here to find your local council »
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
This is the new benefit for working age adults with disabilities. It is replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
If you have long-term ill health or a disability and are not already getting DLA – or you are getting DLA but your circumstances change – you will now have to apply for PIP.
Note however that:
Changes to residence rules
From April 2013, Carers Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Personal Independence Payment all have new residence and presence rules for new claimants.
To satisfy the residence and presence tests you must:
Universal Credit
This is being gradually introduced across the UK. It will replace:
Independent Living Fund (ILF)
The ILF will close on 31 March 2015. People who already get ILF payments will continue to do so until 31 March 2015.
After 31 March 2015, local authorities will be responsible for meeting the care and support needs previously meet through the ILF payments.
In community care and health
Personal Health Budgets are being rolled out in health for clients of NHS Continuing Healthcare from April 2014. These aim to give you more choice and control over the health services and care you receive.
In work
New working rights are expected for employees from April 2014 - when employees who have worked for more than 26 weeks will have the right to request flexible working. Legislation is currently going through Parliament.
If you need to know more about any of these changes you can contact the Carers UK Adviceline on 0808 808 7777 or at adviceline@carersuk.org
As part of this year's Carers Rights Day, we are highlighting some of the ways that carers' rights and entitlements will be changing
Don't forget to sign up your carer organisation here
There are a whole host of benefit changes that you need to be aware of and prepare people for in the coming months. Here are some of the main changes in benefits, where to get extra resources and how to take action. It is vital that carers and their families are well-advised and make the most of the changes so they can plan their finances, work and family life well.
Benefits cap
This limits the total amount of benefits that working age individuals and their families can receive each week.
Housing Benefit size criteria (also known as Bedroom Tax)
This limits the amount of Housing Benefit that individuals and families can receive. The amount of Housing Benefit you get will be reduced if the local council decides that you have a “spare” bedroom in your home.
Carers UK have produced a toolkit to help people challenge Bedroom Tax decisions and information about how to apply for Discretionary Housing Payments – which can help meet the shortfall if the Bedroom Tax is applied.
Click here to view our Challenging a Bedroom Tax Decision Toolkit »
Help with Council Tax
The Council Tax Benefit scheme has been replaced by local Council Tax Reduction Schemes.
Click here to find your local council »
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
This is the new benefit for working age adults with disabilities. It is replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
If you have long-term ill health or a disability and are not already getting DLA – or you are getting DLA but your circumstances change – you will now have to apply for PIP.
Note however that:
- Children under 16 will still be able to claim and receive DLA.
- Adults over 64 who have a long-term ill health or a disability and are not already getting DLA or PIP will still be able to claim and receive Attendance Allowance.
Changes to residence rules
From April 2013, Carers Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Personal Independence Payment all have new residence and presence rules for new claimants.
To satisfy the residence and presence tests you must:
- Have been present in Great Britain for 104 weeks out of the 156 weeks before claiming (2 out of the last 3 years); and
- Be habitually resident.
Universal Credit
This is being gradually introduced across the UK. It will replace:
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credits
- Working Tax Credits
- Housing Benefit
Independent Living Fund (ILF)
The ILF will close on 31 March 2015. People who already get ILF payments will continue to do so until 31 March 2015.
After 31 March 2015, local authorities will be responsible for meeting the care and support needs previously meet through the ILF payments.
In community care and health
Personal Health Budgets are being rolled out in health for clients of NHS Continuing Healthcare from April 2014. These aim to give you more choice and control over the health services and care you receive.
In work
New working rights are expected for employees from April 2014 - when employees who have worked for more than 26 weeks will have the right to request flexible working. Legislation is currently going through Parliament.
If you need to know more about any of these changes you can contact the Carers UK Adviceline on 0808 808 7777 or at adviceline@carersuk.org
