need. It looks at: • the care the carer provides and how their caring responsibilities affect their life; • any support they are getting now and what else would help; and • what they would like their support to achieve.
Respite at home is considered to be a service for the person being cared for. If they have a Personal Budget for their own needs (see page 15) they could use that money to pay for it. A financial assessment of the person being cared for will confirm whether they need to pay towards the cost of this service.
Benefits The assessment can also give lots of information about other services that might help, and other ideas for support. The carer’s assessment will show if the carer qualifies for support services from Health and Community Services.
Carers’ Personal Budgets The carer’s Personal Budget is a single payment that can be used towards the cost of something specific that will support carers in their caring role. For example, it could be used for leisure activities, education or training, or just to take a short break from caring. When Health and Community Services considers a carer’s Personal Budget, they give priority to situations where there is a significant risk of the carer not being able to continue to provide care if they do not get some support. The amount a carer could get depends on their needs identified by their carer’s assessment. The money is not taxed and it will not affect any benefits.
Respite at home The home-based respite service gives carers a break from their caring responsibilities. A care worker will look after the person being cared for, so the carer can have some time to themselves. The breaks could be regular or just when needed.
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If you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week (and you are over 16) you may be entitled to Carer’s Allowance. This can be payable if the person you care for is receiving Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or Constant Attendance Allowance (paid with Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit or a War Pension). The Carer’s Allowance rate for 2016/17 is £62.10 a week. This figure may change over the lifetime of this Directory. However, carers cannot claim it if they are in full-time education or employment, and it can affect other benefits or their pension. Carers over 65 may qualify for Carer’s Premium. This can entitle carers to an increased amount of income-related benefits (such as Pension Credit, Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit). Carer’s Credit is a National Insurance credit which will let carers build up qualifying years for the basic State Pension and additional State Pension. This means that there will be no gaps in the carer’s National Insurance record if they have to take on caring responsibilities. A person may be able to get Carer’s Credit if they: • provide care for one or more disabled person(s) for a total of 20 hours or more each week; and
This Directory’s helpline 0800 389 2077 – assistance with finding care and support