Government have NO idea its this hard!

[leamarie2013]

My lil sister has special needs (mild learning difficulties and low IQ) she's by no means incapable of looking after herself, she needed support with certain things but her social worker dealt with a lot of that!

Then she got pregnant! and panic set in!

Don't get me wrong, she's a brilliant mum, she's surprised everyone with how amazing she's done, and she has loads of support! But since my nephew was born, I've had to become her carer! He was premature, he ended up in intensive care with bronchilitis...between them there are so many appointments she can't keep up, nor does she understand whats being said unless it's in laymens terms!

He has delayed development and needs his own support, I attend EVERY SINGLE doctors/hospital/school/SS appointment! For them both!

We've now found out my sister has a heart condition and will have to have surgery! My partners mum also has dementia, which is getting really hard work!

So realistically...i'm a full time carer to my sister! My nephew! And part time carer to my MIL! Yet I get £62 p/w CA, which I have to "care" 36 hrs p/w for...which is taxable, so gets deducted from any other benefit I may be entitled to!

Now, I dont do it for the money, I do it because I love my sister... and my nephew, OMG, he is my world! But i don't get one day off! Not one hour off! It's a 24/7 job, yet I'm getting far, FAR, less than minimum wage! I'm struggling to pay my bills, & buy food! And if asked, the only "checkbox" I can tick on forms is "unemployed"!

Surely family members on CA (who save the government a f*g fortune) should be treated a bit better?!?!? It's F*G HARD work! However much you love the person you care for!

[BackforGood]

I absolutely agree with you - as I think would everyone who even knows anyone who is a carer, let alone those who are actually carers themselves.
Although I maintain high quality respite would actually be more useful than cash in many cases.

[starry0ne]

I completely agree with you... Is there parents who can take the pressure off a bit..

I agree with PP high quality repsite is a lifeline but due to cut resources been cut to bare bones..

The government are not going to increase it nor care...

You are doing a great job.. To all the carers out there.

[leamarie2013]

Yea I definitely agree about the respite! My parents are around but they've kinda taken a step back. They are there if she needs them but they try to keep a bit of distance...my sis is very argumentative & hard work, and there ended up being a lot of arguments between them!

I've had a crappy day (although nothing to do with my sister) and needed a rant lol!

[Haffdonga]

YANBU at all.

Carers Allowance rates are a national disgrace. You get less for CA caring for more than 35 hours a week than you do on Job Seekers Allowance. How, how does the government justify that?

[leamarie2013]

I have no idea!