Many unpaid carers suffering financial misery
Unpaid family carers are being plunged even further into financial misery over the cost-ofliving crisis, according to the shocking results of a recent survey.
The research, undertaken in Scotland by Carers Trust – the UK infrastructure charity for local carer organisations – revealed that 38 per cent of Scotland’s 800,000 unpaid carers have had to give up paid work altogether to provide the dedicated care at home that a sick or disabled relative needs.
A further 20 per cent of respondents reported having reduced the number of paid hours they work because of their caring role.
The research, which involved 531 family carers, uncovered the shocking fact that one in eight (12 per cent) unpaid family carers is now using food banks as a result of soaring living costs.
In addition, more than a quarter have had to cut back on food, 27 per cent have had to pay for household items using a credit card, a quarter have had to borrow money from a friend, and 17 per cent have had to take out a loan.
The survey also found that 38 per cent had to cut back on household items, 17 per cent have been unable to pay household bills on time, and seven per cent have either sold their home or released home equity simply to pay for household essentials.
One survey respondent said:“i am terrified that I won’t be able to pay the bills this winter.”
Responding to a survey question about what essential costs they would no longer be able to afford, almost half of unpaid carers (48 per cent) said transport, almost three quarters (74 per cent) said energy bills and over one third (34 per cent) said rent or mortgage costs.
The survey also highlighted the inadequacy of Carer’s Allowance – the principal state benefit for unpaid carers. Currently set at £69.70 per week, providing this is the lowest level benefit of its kind, despite more than one third (34 per cent) of unpaid carers spending 50 hours or more a week caring for a sick or disabled relative.
The Scottish Government does provide a Carer’s Allowance Supplement of £245.70 twice a year to provide additional support to the country’s unpaid carers. But, eligibility criteria for Carer’s Allowance benefit are strict. Claimants must earn £132 a week or less after tax and must be spending a minimum of 35 hours a week caring for someone.
More than half of all survey respondents said that they do not receive the allowance and, of those who did, 56 per cent of respondents in Scotland said it was not enough to meet their needs as an unpaid carer.
The survey also found that, instead of preventing poverty among recipients, Carer’s
Allowance recipients were more likely to be experiencing financial hardship.
Responding to the findings of the survey, Carers Trust Scotland’s director, Louise Morgan said:“scotland’s health and social care system relies on the hard work of millions of unpaid family carers. However, the double whammy of lack of financial support and struggling local services means that thousands of unpaid family carers are being pushed into dire poverty.
“As a country, we’re relying on unpaid carers to keep the health and care system afloat. The least we can do in return is ensure they get a fair deal in return.”