Over 1,000 unpaid carers in Wales' picturesque county of Monmouthshire are receiving much-needed financial help, according to the latest figures.
However, a leading charity championing these unsung heroes has claimed that current support is inadequate and has demanded far-reaching reforms to improve their situation.
In the UK, millions of people provide unpaid care to family, friends and loved ones1. People who provide more than 35 hours of care a week while earning less than £151 are entitled to Carer's Allowance, which amounts to £81.90 a week.
Furthermore, in Wales, 59,000 people benefited from this benefit last summer, and around 30,000 others met the eligibility criteria.
‘We recognise the importance of carers, who play a vital role in our communities, and we regularly evaluate all our benefits. Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson.
Monmouthshire's Unpaid Carers
Recent data from the Department for Work and Pensions reveals that 1,121 people in Monmouthshire were in receipt of Carer's Allowance last summer.
An additional 626 people were deemed eligible but did not claim the allowance, either because other benefits disqualified them or they chose to claim additional benefits instead.
Monmouthshire's unpaid care workforce is predominantly female, with 70% of care allowance recipients being women.
Recently the government revealed that 34,500 people across the country had been overpaid because of exceeding the income threshold, in some cases facing fines of tens of thousands of pounds.
Calls for Reform
Carers UK, in proposing reforms to the Carers Allowance, has suggested that the income threshold should be set at 21 hours' work a week at the minimum wage, which currently equates to £240.24 for those aged 21 and over.
Millions of eligible unpaid carers do not apply for Carer's Allowance. In addition to it being a relatively low benefit, as evidenced by various reports, the risk of accruing overpayments may not be worth it.
According to 2021 census data, there are around 5.7 million unpaid carers in the UK, including 2.1 million people who provide at least 35 hours of care a week in England and Wales.
The Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, recently praised the work of unpaid carers in Parliament, saying they were saving the NHS and the government billions of pounds.
‘Without unpaid carers, or those who receive a very limited allowance, the NHS would literally be overwhelmed. Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat leader
The Department for Work and Pensions, recognising the crucial role of carers, has recently increased the Carer's Allowance to £81.90 per week, which is around £1,500 more per year than in 2010.
Carers living in low-income households are also eligible for additional financial support, such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit.