Carers Rights Day 2023
Carers Rights Day is a national campaign to recognise unpaid carers by bringing together multiple organisations by promoting their rights and raise awareness of support that they are entitled to. Many individuals who are carers often do not see themselves as a “carer”, as they are often family members, friends or partners. It can take up to two years in some cases for a person to recognise themselves as a carer, which results in a delay in accessing support they are entitled to.
Your Rights as a Carer
Your rights as a carer are protected under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act (2014), including:
- The right to well-being
- The right to have information, advice and assistance
- The right to an assessment if your needs cannot be met by information and advice
- The right to have your voice heard and have control over decisions about your support
- The right to advocacy
There are additional rights that carers are protected by in the work environment, for more information please visit this link from Carers UK.
As a carer, there are means tested benefits that you may be eligible for, these include:
- Carer’s Allowance: a weekly in advance of 4 weekly payment for those that care for someone at least 35 hours a week. You do not have to be related to the person you care for to be eligible.
- Carers Credit: a National Insurance credit that helps with gaps in a National Insurance record for those that care for someone at least 20 hours a week. This is in place to ensure an individual does not lose out on social security benefits in the future.
- Attendance Allowance: helps with extra care and support with supervision or personal care if someone has an illness or disability, there is two amounts that can be given depending on level of care needed.
- Universal Credit: this is to help with living costs or to aid with low income. There are certain benefits that can be impacted by Universal Credit, it is always recommended to check other benefits and tax credits before applying. Carers Allowance, for example, is considered an income and can impact Universal Credit entitlement.
- Housing and heating costs, such as Housing Benefit, Council Tax reduction and Priority Service schemes
- Health and Care Costs, such as help with arranging and paying for care/support or opticians and dental costs
- Certain Grants and discounts, for example money off your TV licence or car tax
For local benefits advice, you can contact your local Citizens Advice, Age Cymru West Glamorgan, Swansea Carers Centre, Care and Repair Western Bay. Carers UK provide an online guide called Upfront which can give tailored practical and financial information to those who are new to the caring role.
Caring for Your Future
To see the full list, please view the image of the posters attached.
Taking care of your wellbeing as a carer is very important. There are different ways carers can access wellbeing services, below are just a few:
- Social Prescribing: in collaboration with SBUHB GP Clusters, SCVS has implemented a social prescribing service called “New Ways to Wellbeing”. This connects individuals to non-medical sources in the community to improve health and wellbeing. This service is available, but not limited to, those who have carer responsibility through GP referral. This service is also available through NPTCVS in collaboration with Neath Port Talbot GP clusters.
- Swansea Carers Centre have both projects and events that support the wellbeing of carers. This could be accessing services such as Carers Connect to have access to a support network, Mind, Body and Spirit which focuses on wellbeing and health or attending events available on this timetable.
- Neath Port Talbot Carers Centre offer support for unpaid carers, as well as projects that can aid with the health and wellbeing of carers.
For online wellbeing support, visit Carers UK’s Wellbeing page
You’re Not Alone…
The Dementia Hwb is here for you as a carer between 11am and 3pm, 7 days a week, offering practical information and advice. If you are unable to make it to the Hwb, you can call us on 01792 304519 or email on support@dementiafriendlyswansea.org. If you cannot reach us during opening hours, leave a message and someone will get back to you by the next working day.