Menu
13/02/2013
Government Caps Carers Allowances
The Government has announced that from 2017 there will be a limit of £75,000 on the amount of money that people will pay for the cost of their care.
They have also said they will step in earlier to help with the cost of care, allowing families to keep more of their assets.
At the moment, families do not receive any help in paying for the cost of care until they have less than £23,500 in assets. From 2017 this means tested threshold will rise to £123,000 for residential care.
Responding to the Government’s announcement on long-term care funding, Emily Holzhausen, Director of Policy at Carers UK said: "Our work has shown that 3 in 4 families fear the cost of caring for older or disabled loved ones, and this new cap on the costs of care and the changes to the financial thresholds for state help are significant first steps forward towards a care system that shares costs more fairly between families and the state. "However, a £75,000 cap on care costs is higher than the proposals of the Dilnot Commission and Government must set out a timetable for making care more affordable for families.
"The social care system has suffered from decades of underinvestment and the funding gap for care is growing - resulting in cuts to services and rising charges for care. Increasingly families are having to fill this gap, providing more and more care, often at huge personal and financial costs to themselves. These new proposals don’t yet answer all these questions.
"Alongside this progress on the costs of care for families, we need urgent action to address the chronic underfunding of the care system ensuring families are able to access affordable, flexible and high quality care."
(GK)
They have also said they will step in earlier to help with the cost of care, allowing families to keep more of their assets.
At the moment, families do not receive any help in paying for the cost of care until they have less than £23,500 in assets. From 2017 this means tested threshold will rise to £123,000 for residential care.
Responding to the Government’s announcement on long-term care funding, Emily Holzhausen, Director of Policy at Carers UK said: "Our work has shown that 3 in 4 families fear the cost of caring for older or disabled loved ones, and this new cap on the costs of care and the changes to the financial thresholds for state help are significant first steps forward towards a care system that shares costs more fairly between families and the state. "However, a £75,000 cap on care costs is higher than the proposals of the Dilnot Commission and Government must set out a timetable for making care more affordable for families.
"The social care system has suffered from decades of underinvestment and the funding gap for care is growing - resulting in cuts to services and rising charges for care. Increasingly families are having to fill this gap, providing more and more care, often at huge personal and financial costs to themselves. These new proposals don’t yet answer all these questions.
"Alongside this progress on the costs of care for families, we need urgent action to address the chronic underfunding of the care system ensuring families are able to access affordable, flexible and high quality care."
(GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 August 2008
More Financial Help Needed For British Carers
Around six million people in Britain who are looking after sick and elderly relatives are not receiving adequate financial support, a new report has revealed. The Work and Pensions Select Committee today published the report entitled 'Valuing and Supporting Carers'.
More Financial Help Needed For British Carers
Around six million people in Britain who are looking after sick and elderly relatives are not receiving adequate financial support, a new report has revealed. The Work and Pensions Select Committee today published the report entitled 'Valuing and Supporting Carers'.
05 December 2003
Better information provided for carers in UK
Carers are to get better information about vital services thanks to new information leaflets. Produced by Carers UK and funded by the Department of Health and British Gas, the leaflets provide information to all carers on rights, benefits and breaks in a clear format.
Better information provided for carers in UK
Carers are to get better information about vital services thanks to new information leaflets. Produced by Carers UK and funded by the Department of Health and British Gas, the leaflets provide information to all carers on rights, benefits and breaks in a clear format.
02 December 2005
Carers losing out on £746m in benefits
People who give up work to become carers are losing out on £746 million in benefits, according to a report. Charity group Carers UK said that older carers were particularly hard hit.
Carers losing out on £746m in benefits
People who give up work to become carers are losing out on £746 million in benefits, according to a report. Charity group Carers UK said that older carers were particularly hard hit.
14 October 2010
£4 Million Boost For Carers
A raft of new measures that will help support carers were unveiled by Care Services Minister Paul Burstow today. More than £4 million will be reinvested in a range of projects from training schemes for health and social care workers to access better information.
£4 Million Boost For Carers
A raft of new measures that will help support carers were unveiled by Care Services Minister Paul Burstow today. More than £4 million will be reinvested in a range of projects from training schemes for health and social care workers to access better information.
15 May 2014
Hospitals Leave Patients To 'Die In Pain'
A new audit on the provision of care for people dying in hospitals has found significant variations in care across hospitals in England.
Hospitals Leave Patients To 'Die In Pain'
A new audit on the provision of care for people dying in hospitals has found significant variations in care across hospitals in England.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
