The new rules will hit people who claim a DWP health benefit, with around 150,000 people set to see their payments cut or withdrawn altogether under the controversial changes
Controversial changes could see around 150,000 people on a DWP health benefit facing slashed or ceased payments. Labour’s new proposals aim to trim health benefits, including the daily living component of Personal Independence Payments (PIP), potentially impacting Carer’s Allowance claimants too.
For those keen on savvy financial tips, don’t miss out – sign up for our newsletter brimming with top money-saving advice. Baroness Ruth Lister probed ministers for numbers on how many carers, aiding PIP recipients, would be hit by these adjustments. She queried the impact on entitlements to Carer’s Allowance and the carer element within Universal Credit.
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Labour’s Baroness Maeve Sherlock revealed figures indicating that by 2029/2030, about 150,000 people benefiting from carer’s support could feel the pinch due to the policy shifts. She detailed that this includes 107,000 individuals set to lose Carer’s Allowance and 96,000 who will miss out on the carer’s element of Universal Credit.
Moreover, 55,000 are at risk of losing both supports, equating to a drop in income by the value of the carer’s element, reports Birmingham Live. These statistics are bound to heighten concerns among critics who have slammed the cutbacks as “cruel”.
To be eligible for Carer’s Allowance, you must provide at least 35 hours a week of care for someone who is receiving a specific qualifying benefit, such as the daily living component of PIP.
The current rate for Carer’s Allowance is £83.30 a week, or £4,331.60 annually. Similarly, to receive the carer’s element of Universal Credit, you need to provide care for someone for at least 35 hours a week.
The individual you’re caring for also needs to qualify for a certain health or disability-related benefit, like PIP daily living. The carer’s element is currently valued at £201.68 a month, or £2,420.16 annually.
If you claim both Carer’s Allowance and Universal Credit, your Universal Credit payment will be reduced by an amount equivalent to your Carer’s Allowance payment.