‘Other Rights’ we have as carers that you may not know about
A series of blog posts for Carers Rights Day – 24th November 2022
An Annual Flu Jab
The flu vaccine or “jab” is offered every year on the NHS to help protect people at risk of getting seriously ill from flu.
The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to people who receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick.
You can book an appointment at your GP surgery or a pharmacy that offers the Flu Jab.
If you have informed your GP surgery that you are an unpaid family carer, you may get an annual invitation to get the vaccine – one less thing to remember! However you do not have to wait for your invitation before booking an appointment.
The best time to have the flu vaccine is in the autumn or early winter before flu starts spreading.
A Break
This one is a right and a reminder; we are entitled to breaks!
Caring for another person can be fulfilling, exciting, enjoyable, but also tiring and stressful. Taking a break from your responsibilities is important so you can recharge and look after your health.
Breaks can take many different forms. You could take half an hour out of your daily routine to read your favourite book or maybe even take a trip away to see the sea! Often respite care is needed, this means taking a break from caring, while the person you care for is looked after by someone else.
There are lots of respite care options. They range from getting a volunteer to sit with the person you look after for a few hours, to a short stay in a care home so you can go on holiday. The person you look after could go to a day care centre. Or, a paid carer could visit them at their home to look after them.
If you’d like some help to take a break, call our advice line on 0113 380 4300 for support and practical tips on how you can get some time away from your caring role.
If your finances are preventing you from taking a break, you can apply to the time for carers grant scheme or sign up to Carefree, see details below.
You can also take a look at www.disability-grants.org or www.turn2us.org.uk for financial help.
Carers Smart Discount Club
CarerSmart is a Carers Trust club that is open to carers, people with care needs and staff and volunteers from across the Carers Trust network.
Joining is simple and free. And once you’re a member, you’ll be able to benefit from a wide range of offers, including:
- Cash back on shopping from numerous high street retailers
- Best rates from energy suppliers
- Reductions on insurance renewals
- Discounts on holidays and travel arrangements
- Reduced price lifestyle activities
- Free legal advice services
Carefree – Breaks for unpaid carers
Carefree transform vacant accommodation into vital breaks for unpaid carers. Thanks to the generosity of our Hospitality Partners, we are able to offer short breaks at minimal cost for full-time unpaid carers in need of some time off.
There are two options:
- Hotel: 1-3 nights with 1 companion (adult or child). Twin or Double room. Breakfast included.
- Holiday Cottage: 7 nights with 1 adult companion and/or up to 2 children. Self-catering.
To qualify for a break, you must be aged 21 or over and a full-time unpaid carer (30+ hours per week) and able to pay for extras (£25 admin fee, transport, food, travel insurance etc).
Financial Entitlements
It is important to know what benefits you and the person you care for are entitled to.
Working out what benefits or tax credits you might be entitled to can feel like a battle. Having the right information and support can make a huge difference.
Take a look at these informative guides from Carers UK:
- Carer’s Allowance
- Carer’s Credit
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Housing Benefit
- Benefits for carers who are pension age
- Benefits for carers who are working age
- Attendance Allowance
- Universal Credit
Council Tax Discounts
If you are a carer and you live in the same property as the person you care for, you might be able to get a discount on Council Tax. Below is a list of criteria for a carer related discount:
- you must provide care for at least 35 hours a week
- you must live in the same property as the person you care for
- you must not be the spouse or partner of the person you care for, or their parent if you care for a child under 18
- the person you care for must be getting either the middle or higher rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance OR the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment at any rate OR Attendance Allowance at any rate
You do not have to claim Carer’s Allowance to qualify for this discount, and your income and savings will not affect your eligibility.
If you think this applies to you, speak to your local authority to ask how to apply for the discount.
Discounts for Carers
Whether you’re a paid or unpaid carer, https://discountsforcarers.com/ have a huge range of discounts, money-saving deals and vouchers that you’re entitled to
Can carers go free on trains?
Although there is no official scheme which allows carers to travel on trains and buses for ‘free’, the good news is if the person you care for has a Disabled Person Railcard (which saves them a third off of travel) and you are travelling with them, then you are also entitled to the same discount.
What is a Companion Bus Pass?
If the person you care for qualifies for a Blind or Disabled Person’s pass and are unable to travel alone, they may be entitled to a companion pass.
You may qualify for a companion pass if you are unable to travel alone and:
- Have or are eligible for a Blind Person’s Pass, or if you
- Have or are eligible for a Disabled Person’s Pass AND are in receipt of one of the following benefits:
- Higher rate care disability living allowance
- Higher rate attendance allowance
- PIP – enhanced rate daily living
- PIP – at least 10 points on the ‘Planning and following a journey’ activity
Read more about the benefits of a Companion Pass here.
Carers Leeds supports unpaid carers:
Carers Advice Line: 0113 380 4300
Carers Advice Email: advice@carersleeds.org.uk
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