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30 - Benefits for carers
Carers in Dudley are being encouraged to check out what benefits they are entitled to at events across the borough during June.
To mark Carers Week, Dudley Carers Forum has organised a roadshow to inform carers of their rights to benefits and services. Dudley Council’s Benefits Shop and the carers’ co-ordinator are supporting the roadshow, along with Age Concern Dudley and the Pension Local Service.
Age Concern’s national campaign, More Money In Your Pocket, aims to raise awareness of benefit entitlement to all older residents. A big red bus will visit sites across the borough where carers of all ages are invited to go along and talk to advisers. The bus will be in the following places on the dates shown below:
Monday 9 June - Dudley town centre, by the fountain, 10am-4pm
Tuesday 10 June - Halesowen town centre, by Wilkinsons, 10am-4pm
Wednesday 11 June - Sedgley Post Office, 10am–12noon; Upper Gornal, Kent Street, 12.15pm-1.15pm; Lower Gornal, Bus Station 1.30pm-2.45pm; Coseley Spar, 3pm-4pm
Thursday 12 June - Brierley Hill town - Asda car park10am-4pm
Friday 13 June - Stourbridge town centre, Coventry St, 10am-4pm
Saturday 14 June - Dudley town centre, by the fountain, 10am-4pm
People unable to attend can get advice by calling Age Concern Dudley on 01384 359736, Sue Kenney from the council’s income support campaign on 01384 812649, or Christine Rowley, carers’ co-ordinator on 01384 818723.
One of the benefits available is carer’s allowance, which is paid to people who are looking after someone who receives attendance allowance or disability living allowance (care component at least the middle rate). This can be worth up to £50.55 each week, depending on an individual’s circumstances. This can also lead to an entitlement to other benefits such as housing benefit and council tax benefit, income support, or pension credit, as well as reductions of up to 100 per cent in council tax bills.
In the 2001 census, 35,000 people in Dudley borough identified themselves as carers. Many of these could be entitled to a council tax reduction, yet less than 100 households have claimed it.
Councillor Anne Millward, the council’s cabinet member for finance, said:
“We want to ensure that as far as possible, people get the money they are entitled to as this is their right and not a privilege. We encourage carers to attend their local event during the week when staff can advise whether they are entitled to benefit and provide help in completing any claim forms. If people are in doubt we would urge them to come along and get advice.”
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