Petition to Increase Carer’s Allowance

[Thelnebriati]

Increase Carer’s Allowance to equal 35 hours at 50% of the living wage.

''To reform Carer’s Allowance to equal 35 hours at 50% of the National Living Wage. Minimum hours of care provided are 35 hours a week. The current rate is equivalent to £2.19 an hour (£76.75 week). Under the proposed rate this would be £182.36 a week.

Currently you’re expected to provide at least 35 hours a week care so the allowance is equivalent to £2.10 an hour. We believe this is taking advantage of hard working unpaid carers, who sacrifice their own life and work prospects. Many carers are exhausted, and if we want to work there are strict limits on earnings. We believe carers are taken advantage of and under supported.''

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/653520

To claim Carers Allowance you must be earning less than £139 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses. The combination of restrictive rules seems intended to reduce the number of claims.

https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/eligibility