STATE OF CARING REPORT 2016
Carers’ finances
Despite their valuable contribution, carers are not being
protected from financial hardship. Taking on a caring role
often results in sharp reduction in household income,
especially when leaving work or reducing hours to care –
this can be particularly catastrophic if they are caring for
a partner who has also left work as a result of illness or
disability.
Despite the growing numbers of people providing more
hours of unpaid care, support for carers and their families
from the social security system continues to be reduced.
Freezes on most working age benefits combined with
low inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index
means that carers and their families see no increase in
their benefits this year, leaving them without the scope to
manage rising costs.
Carers UK’s year-long Caring & Family Finances Inquiry
found that carers can face higher utility bills, higher
transport costs, higher shopping bills, spending on care
services and even the cost of home adaptions.4
Forthcoming changes to reduce Employment Support
Allowance for the work capability group and a further four
year freeze of working age benefits mean many carers
will again be hit hard.
Those responding to the survey are managing on low
incomes with over half (51%) of them managing on a
gross household monthly income of less than £1,500.
44% are struggling to make ends meet rising to nearly
half (48%) of those caring for 35 hours or more per week.
A quarter of carers (26%) report that they have been, or
are currently, in debt as a result of their caring role.
Whilst I can manage the bills, this is
at the expense of holidays and other
activities we used to enjoy.
I constantly worry about bills and
wake up early feeling anxious about
money. We have some savings but
I am now in my 60s so I’m worried
about depleting them.
It is a real struggle, week on week,
month on month, year on year.
When my savings, which I dip into
each month, have gone then the
debt will accumulate.
The increased stress has left me with
depression, high blood pressure and
anxiety. Headaches, low self-esteem,
emotionally crippled. All hidden
behind a smile.
Two thirds
64%
of carers who are struggling to
make ends meet cut back on
seeing friends and family to cope.
7
The constant worry about money
means that you can never be off
your guard... you can never relax.
You are always worrying and you
never feel you can enjoy life.
Carers UK (2014) Caring & Family Finances Inquiry: UK Report
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