Family charity calls for carers’ benefit

Kinship carers should be paid a state benefit to reflect the cost
of bringing up a child, says a report from the Family Rights Group.

The benefit should be a state entitlement and not a discretionary
benefit administered by social services departments. It should be
either part of carers’ tax credits or an improved guardian’s
allowance. Kinship carers should have access to a range of
non-maintenance payments to help with day-to-day costs.

Traditionally, family and friends who are carers are viewed
similarly to council foster carers, with few receiving payments.
The report says some experience significant hardship with money
because of their responsibilities, with financial help being
“patchy and piecemeal”.

It also recommends that such care should be more formally
recognised with its own policy, guidance and regulations.

– Funding Family and Friends Care: from 020 7923 2628.