Carers Rights Day 2011


Carers Information Day at the Holiday Inn, Telford

Friday December 2nd 2011 from 09.30am - 12.30pm

The theme of this year’s Carers Rights Day is "Money Matters".

There are over 6.4 million carers in the UK and 2.3 million people become carers every year. Almost three quarters of carers suffer financially as a result of caring. Many carers simply do not realise that they are entitled to any help. Others miss out because they struggle to understand complex and badly explained benefits forms and information.

It is vital that carers get the information, or get assessed, to claim the benefits that are rightfully theirs
because:
  • Shockingly, millions of carers benefits are not claimed each year, while carers across the country cutback on essentials like food, clothes and heating, to make ends meet.
  • Carers may be missing out on a range of other discounts and benefits like Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

  • Claiming the Carer’s Allowance can help protect basic State Pension rights for carers under 65.
Families across the country are struggling with high household bills and worries about jobs. But families affected by illness and disability can struggle more than most - as they struggle with the additional costs of caring and often lost earnings as a result of illness and disability.  This means that there has never been a more important time for carers to know their rights and access all the financial and practical support they and their cared for are entitled to.

Don’t miss out on our Information Day. You will have the opportunity to talk to experts in a variety of areas who could help you in your caring role. You are welcome to call in at any time to talk to us about your caring needs, browse through useful information, or simply relax and sit and talk to other carers. There will also be a limited number of free leisure passes for the Holiday Inn facilities available, so why not collect a pass and treat yourself to some relaxation either on the day or at a later date. Prize raffle, free to carers registered with Carers Contact Centre.

The following talks will also be taking place. (Places are limited, so please phone us and book to guarantee your place)

09.45 -10.15am “Paying for Your Care”  Jan Evans, Financial Case Management Team Leader Care & Support (Adults), will discuss how the local authority work out what financial contribution one may have to make.  A must for Carers to know.

10.30 – 11.00am “ A brief introduction to online shopping, making your money go further” interactive talk by Community Learning in conjunction with Nick Stevens from TCAT.

11.15 - 11.45am “Maximising Your Income”  Edward Marshall, Independent Financial Advisor, appears on local radio giving advice financial matters.

Members of the Carers Contact Centre team will be available from 09.30am and there will be various information stalls available until 12.30pm: housing options, benefits, pensions, financial advice, Carers Assessments, paying for care and many more.

Even if you can only drop in for a short time, this is YOUR day and we look forward to seeing you there.