Direct Payments
Direct Payments are cash payments made to individuals who are assessed as in general need of assessed as in great need of assistance .ln Solihull, a project has beeen running to extend these payments to carers providing substantial care to people over the age of 18. This rewards carers for their contribution to the Borough.These one -off payments are not dependant on income and can be spent on whatever the carer is assessed as needing to help them with their caring role .Solihull Carers Centre , as well as Social Services can carry out these assessments in your home or a mutually convenient place .For more details contact Solihull Carers Centre on 01217881143.
First step
We support carers across the Solihull Borough by providing :
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lnformation and advice
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Signposting
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Emotional support
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Advocacy
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Assessments for Direct Payments
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Twice yearly newsletter
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Benefits-form filling
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Sitting service ( in emergencies)
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Home visits
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Carers groups
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Young carers support
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Social events and activities
Looking after yourself
The stresses and strains of being a carer can be under-estimated and misunderstood by people who have never been in that position. lt may be difficult to insist that other people (including the person you are caring for ) to recognise your needs. lt is very important to maintain friends, relationships and contacts, especially if you had to give up work or more to be at home. You may not have as much time, space and freedom as before. Try to make sure you do something each day for yourself.
This could be a five minutes relaxation, cup of coffee, reading the newspaper, a walk or a soak in the bath.
Whilst stress is an everyday feature of modern living, carers may experience a high level of stress as a result of their caring situation. Even when the person you care for is someone you love, changes in circumstances or in personality due to disability, financial worries and relationships can take its toll. Strain can leave a carer feeling isolated, exhausted and resentful.
Warning Signs
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lnsomnia
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Tiredness
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Headaches
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Digestive problems
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Frustration
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lrritability or tenderfulness
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Difficulty in making decisions
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Problems with concentrating
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lnability to relax
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Loss of appetite or a tendency to eat / drink more than normal
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Bad back
lf you have experience any of the above, try to take a break, from your caring role, if you can.
Remember to be of help to the person you care for, you must first look after yourself.
Benefits
Many carers experience financial difficulty as a result of caring. This can be due to loss of earings or additional expenditure which caring may involve. However, there are government benefits which carers, or the people they care for, may be entitled to claim. A Carers Support Worker can advise and assist you with making enquiries or completing the forms. The following is a brief outline of some of the benefits that may be available to you:
Carer’s Allowance- Carer’s allowance is the only benefit which is specifically for the carer. You may be able to claim it if:
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You are at least 16
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You spend a minimum of 35 hours a week looking after someone
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lf you work and don’t take home more than £94 per week
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You are not in full time education
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The person you care for is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (middle or higher care component) or Attendance Allowance
Benefits for the person you care for:
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)- This is a tax free and non means tested benefit for people under 65 needing help with personal care or with getting around, or both.
Attendance Allowance (AA)- This is a tax free and non means tested benefit for people aged 65 and over who need help with personal care or supervision as a result of illness or disability.
lndustrial lnjuries Benefit - This may be payable if the illness is caused by working conditions e.g. asbestos , lung disease, eye or heating loss. A Carers Support Worker can advise you.
(For further information on benefits contact the Solihull Carers Centre.)
Carers Legislation
Carers Recognition and Services Act 1995
lmplemented in April 1996. This act gives recognition to the carer and the right to an assessment when the cared for is being assessed or re-assessed -but no rights to services. The carer has to be providing, or intending to provide, regular or substantial care.
Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000
lmplented April 2001. This act gives carers the right to an individual asssessment even if the person cared for has refused an assessment for their own needs. The gives carers rights to services, providing resources are availabe to meet the needs presented. lt gives carers the right to direct payment but it also gives Local Authorities the power to charge carers for services.
Delayed Discharge Act October 2003
lmplented January 2004. This act means the local authority is required to make a payment to the relevant NHS body where it has not succeeded in putting together a discharge plan for an individual within the specified number of days OR where a patient’s discharge has been delayed because (and only because) the local authority has not been ready to provide services to the patient or their carer at the specified time of discharge, whichever of these is latter. Patients are, on some occasions, being sent home without consideration for the carers’ ability to cope.
Carers Equal Opportunities Act
lmplemented April 2005. This act means the Local Authority has to let Carers know of their rights to an assessment and has to provide the information on services, such as leisure, education and employment, which will support them within their caring role. lt also meant that other agencies must consider any request for services that arise from an assessment.
(Every reasonable effort is made to ensure the information provided is accurate and up to date at time of printing. No responsibility for its accuracy and correctness, or for any consequences of relying on it, is assumed by Solihull Carers Center)
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