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<p>The primary purpose of Carer’s Allowance is to provide a measure of financial support
and recognition for people who give up the opportunity of full-time employment in
order to provide regular and substantial care for a severely disabled person. It is
not, and was never intended to be, a carer’s wage or a payment for the services of
caring. It is also not intended to replace lost or forgone earnings in their entirety.</p><p>
</p><p>A National Insurance Class 1 credit is generally awarded for each week that
Carer’s Allowance is paid to a working age carer. Class 1 credits can help towards
the conditions of entitlement to all contributory benefits, as well as the new State
Pension. In addition to Carer’s Allowance, carers on low incomes can claim income-related
benefits, such as Universal Credit and Pension Credit.</p><p> </p><p>The Government
recognises the invaluable contribution that unpaid and family carers make in all our
communities, and is committed to doing more to support them. The Department of Health
and Social Care (DHSC) published a Carers Action Plan in June 2018 setting out plans
around support for carers, and in addition to this, carers will be a fundamental part
of DHSC’s upcoming Green Paper. A sustainable settlement for social care will simply
not be possible without focussing on how our society supports carers. The Government
has committed to publishing the Green Paper at the earliest opportunity setting out
its proposals for reform.</p><p> </p><p>Carers who provide professional caring services
to multiple severely disabled people do so as a means of employment and are paid accordingly
rather than relying on carers benefits.</p>
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