Carers missing out on benefits and pensions

One in three carers is missing out on benefits and pensions because they are not given information about their entitlements, according to a report today.

Nearly three-quarters of carers lack practical support, including care assistants because they do not know what is available, charity Carers UK found.

The report, In the Know, published to mark national carers rights day today, called for a major review of carers’ benefits to improve access to entitlements.

Imelda Redmond, chief executive of Carers UK, said: “If carers do not get the financial and practical support they need, they suffer from a poor quality of life, cutting back on the essentials to get it, and paying a heavy price in terms of their own health and wellbeing.”