Unemployed carers get support

08/12/2009

Carers could find new solutions to their money problems, following government reforms.

The Department of Work and Pensions is giving people who care for sick or elderly relatives assistance in finding work, with those registered for Jobcentre Plus training courses allowed to access replacement care benefits.

This will limit the chances of a carer having to turn down job offers due to their existing responsibilities.

It is thought that around one in five of the group has faced such a dilemma before.

The government also plans for a Care Partnership Manager to be installed in every Jobcentre Plus district to provide extra support for getting carers back to work.

In all, three in five people have previously cared for a sick or disabled relative - and unemployment has recently risen to a 14-year high of almost 2.5 million people.

This suggests that the new government support could be widely used.

Yvette Cooper, secretary of state for Work and Pensions, said: "Many carers really want to work, but find it hard to get the support or flexible work they need, to combine it with caring for relatives.

"It's … important to give carers extra help, advice, funding for replacement or respite care and easier access to training too."

Tags; Young Family Finances, Retirement Money Problems, Job loss,

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