We have joined a coalition of almost 100 charities and organisations calling for better financial support for unpaid family and friend carers across the UK and changes to help people with caring responsibilities work if they want to.

The Carer Poverty Coalition has been set up to call for the government to have a benefits system that better supports people looking after someone close to them who needs help due to an illness, disability, old age or an addiction. It will also raise awareness about the negative impact the cost of living crisis is having on carers.

Research carried out in 2022 by Carers UK, the national charity supporting carers and leading the campaign, found that one in four carers (25%) were cutting back on food or heating to make ends meet. The figure increased to 35% for people receiving Carer’s Allowance – the main benefit for those caring 35 hours or more each week.

The coalition will build on campaigning already done by Carers UK and organisations like ourselves over the last couple of years calling for the government to:
• Increase the amount people eligible for Carer’s Allowance can earn a week before the benefit is reduced or stopped. The proposal is £199.50 a week for 2022/2023 (equivalent to 21 hours work at National Living Wage) instead of the current £132 or less (after tax, expenses and other deductions).
• Raise all benefits in line with current levels of inflation.
• Give unpaid carers in receipt of Carer’s Allowance a top up payment to support them through the winter.

Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “Too often, due to a lack of recognition and support, unpaid carers end up falling into poverty or find themselves in precarious financial positions as a direct result of their caring role. As a coalition, we believe carers deserve better. There is a clear moral as well as economic argument for supporting unpaid carers to live on a decent income and for supporting those able to continue with paid work whilst caring to stay in work. We hope Government and policy makers will see this too.”

To find out more about Carer’s Allowance visit www.gov.uk/carers-allowance or call the government Carer’s Allowance Unit on 0800 731 0297.

You can find out more about the Carer Poverty Coalition at www.carersuk.org/news-and-campaigns/carer-poverty-coalition

A new Carers Strategy for Hertfordshire has been published for 2022 – 2025. It aims to support carers’ wellbeing to help them balance caring with their own needs.

It is the first time there has been a single Strategy for young and adult carers and should ensure support continues smoothly as young people transition to adult services when they reach 18.

Hertfordshire County Council, Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (and previously Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and East & North Herts CCG) worked with carers to develop the Strategy. We organised some meetings for carers to share their views and priorities.

The Strategy has four objectives, based on carers’ priorities:
• Be informed.
• Life beyond caring.
• Maintaining health and wellbeing.
• Receiving consistent, joined up services.

A Council spokesperson said: “This Strategy reaffirms a joint commitment to partnership working between carers, health and social care providers and other agencies, including strong voluntary and community sector organisations. By identifying carers earlier and ensuring they are put in touch with sources of support, we can prevent carers falling into crisis and ease the demand on statutory sector resources.”

You can view the Strategy at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/carersstrategy and if you have any ideas about how we or Hertfordshire County Council can improve or develop services for carers, please get in touch. Contact us by emailing contact@carersinherts.org.uk or call 01992 58 69 69. To contact Adult Social Services at the Council call 0300 123 4042.

Many people, including unpaid family and friend carers, are struggling with, or worried about, making ends meet and the rise in living costs – food and goods, energy, bills such as rent and mortgages, and more. There is help and advice available from a range of organisations and here we share some information about sources of support and tips to navigate this challenging time, such as making savings.

The government has a Help for Households campaign that provides details of income support, help with energy bills and costs related to childcare, your household and travel via public transport. It also has information about discounts and offers. To learn more visit https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/and if you are a Hertfordshire resident or business you may want to visit a dedicated page on the Council’s website about help to manage the cost of living or contact the Council.

Financial support, including grants

Help with energy costs: If you are in debt with an energy provider or are finding it hard to pay your bills, speak to your supplier as they may be able to offer a payment plan or other assistance. You can find out more about getting help with energy bills at www.gov.uk/get-help-energy-bills

You can get tips to saving energy in your home to reduce costs at www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency or speak to your local Citizens Advice service – they can provide free, confidential advice and information to assist people with legal, debt, consumer, housing and other problems. Visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk or call the helpline on 0800 144 8884 (if you are in England – there are different numbers if you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland).

If you are on certain benefits such as Universal or Pension Credit, you may be able to get a cheaper package for your phone, broadband, water or energy via a Social Tariff (sometimes called essential or basic tariff). Speak to your providers about whether they offer a social tariff and if you qualify for it.
There is more information about discounted tariffs for phone and broadband on the Ofcom website.

Winter Fuel Payment: This is a one-off tax-free payment for people aged 66 or over, in receipt of a State Pension, to help with heating costs. It is usually paid automatically in November or December. The amount depends on your age and if you live alone or with someone. Learn more at www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment or call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.

Household Support Fund: This is money that is distributed by councils in England, such as Hertfordshire County Council and district or borough councils, to help families or individuals experiencing food or fuel poverty or financial difficulties.

Benefits: Get advice on welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services from Turn2us a charity that helps people in financial hardship in England, Wales and Scotland. Visit www.turn2us.org.uk or call 0808 802 2000 (9am – 5pm Mondays to Fridays). If you’re a Hertfordshire resident you may want to visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/benefits

Food support

Food banks and community organisations may be able to provide meals or supplies if you can’t afford the food you need. You may need a referral from an organisation such as ourselves or Citizens Advice, or from a health or social care professional, but there are services where you can self-refer. If you are in Hertfordshire, you can find out more at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/foodsupport or call HertsHelp on 0300 123 4044.

The NHS Healthy Start Scheme can help towards the cost of food and milk, as well as providing free vitamins, if you’re pregnant (10 weeks+) or have a child under four. Find out more at www.healthystart.nhs.uk or call 0300 330 7010.

Too Good To Go: a service delivered via a free app that can be downloaded to your smartphone or tablet which allows you
to purchase unsold food and drinks from restaurants and shops at reduced prices and saves food waste. Businesses such as Morrisons, Waitrose and Greggs are onboard. Prices are usually £5 or less. Learn more at https://toogoodtogo.co.uk/en-gb

Free or discounted food: You may be able to get free or discounted food via rewards or offers. Many fast-food chains have apps and offer free or discounted food through them and supermarkets have reward schemes or accept coupons that could help. In addition, restaurants, pubs and supermarket cafes often have offers or promotions such as 2 for 1 meals or kids eat free or for £1 with the purchase of an adult meal.

Support in the community and other help

Warm Spaces: Places such as community venues like libraries and parish halls, where people can gather for free in a warm, safe, welcoming venue. Hertfordshire County Council and the 10 district and borough councils in the county are taking part in the initiative and have a directory of places opening their doors as Warm Spaces. Find out more on the Council’s website or call HertsHelp on 0300 123 4044. If you live elsewhere, you could check at https://warmspaces.org/ or contact your local council to see if they are taking part in the initiative.

Discounts for Carers: is a service that connects paid and unpaid carers with money-saving deals, discounts and vouchers for a range of retailers. It’s free to sign up to the service. Learn more at https://discountsforcarers.com/

Don’t forget our Carer Support Advisors are there to help you with caring related queries and have contacts for a variety of organisations. They may be able to award funding or support a referral for a grant, equipment or adaptation. Contact us by emailing contact@carersinherts.org.uk or call 01992 58 69 69.