MARCH 2001 THE CHEPSTOW AND CALDICOT CARERS' SUPPORT GROUP The Resource Centre, 5a. Church Road, Caldicot. NP26 4BP. Telephone 01291-420666 or 01291-420602 Dear Carer, Last month we invited the Benefits Agency to come to our day. We had a short discussion on Council Tax and possible discounts for Carers. Carers are considered 'invisible' if they are living with and caring for a disabled person who is not their wife, husband, cohabitee or a child under 18. The disabled/elderly person must receive the higher rate of Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance care component and the carer must be providing an average of at least 35 hours a week of care. The Carer does not have to be getting Invalid Care Allowance. A two-person household on an average income will pay the full bill, but if you are caring for an elderly relative, you as a carer could be considered 'invisible' and may qualify for a 25% discount. Invalid Care Allowance is the carers' benefit and can be applied for at the same time as The Attendance Allowance or the Disability Living Allowance is applied for. (You can only claim it if the person you care for claims either of these benefits). In the case of those people applying for the Disability Living Allowance it is imperative that this is done as early as possible. If you reach the age of 65 you are no longer eligible for this and can only apply for the Attendance Allowance. There is a big difference in these allowances. The disability Living Allowance has a mobility component, which is considerable and can allow you to hire a car under the Motability scheme. If you apply for an allowance after 65 you can only claim the Attendance Allowance and this does not have a mobility component. Both of these benefits are non-means tested benefits. There is a 6- month qualifying period for these benefits. If the person claiming these benefits has been diagnosed as terminally ill, then they can get a doctor's report and claim under the special rules. These benefits are given for people needing personal care. That is help to dress, toilet, get in or out of the bath or bed. The Benefits Agency people say that when you fill in these forms, paint the worst scenario. That is be honest about how much help you need on a bad day! These forms can be repetitive and time consuming, but you can get help to complete them from the Caldicot Resource Centre or the Citizens Advice Bureau. You can obtain the forms from these places too. Age Concern will also help to fill them in by coming to the house. The Benefits Agency has a base in the Job Centre in Station Road, Chepstow. Some carers have felt that they have had to give up work because of the burden of caring. The benefits Agency say that if you are considering giving up work you can go to them via the Customer Services Section on 01633-241600 to discuss the financial implications and calculate the amount of benefits that you might be entitled to if you were to give up work. NATIONAL CARERS WEEK 11th -18th June The theme for carers' week this year is "Health". Each year, the Carers National Association ('CNA') provides some research which is published during this special week, and this year they are asking carers to complete questionnaires if the person they are caring for has been discharged from hospital during the last two years. Research that was carried out in 1998 confirmed that many carers were not consulted about the discharge from hospital, which sometimes had disastrous consequences. They need to know if this has improved. If you do care for someone who has been in hospital during the last two years and would like a questionnaire please let me know and I will gladly forward one on to you. They are very simple to complete. This information can help the CNA and other caring organisations to go on and secure several positive changes for carers but we need your help. CENSUS ALERT! In April a new National Census is being performed. Question 11 will ask about caring responsibilities. The Carers National Association wants to make as many carers as possible aware of how important it is for them to answer the question appropriately. Please read question 11 and fill it in to make sure that your tick counts. The CNA believes that there are many more carers than the Government knows about. More up-to-date figures will help to campaign with a stronger voice for better resources and support for YOU as a carer. A NEW SERVICE from ST DAVID'S FOUNDATION HOSPICE CARE. If you or someone close to you has CANCER or a worry about CANCER, St David's Foundation can help. If you need more information or support, their Resource and walk-in centre provides a free, confidential service at CHEPSTOW COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, in the COMMUNITY ROOM on MONDAYS from 9.30am - 4:00pm. Best wishes, Patsy Lewis.