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<p>We are very much aware of and greatly value the significant contribution which
unpaid carers make to the care of disabled people.</p><p> </p><p>If a disabled person
has neurofibromatosis and qualifies for a 'gateway' benefit, then their carer could
be entitled to Carer's Allowance, which is currently £61.35 per week. This will depend
on certain conditions of both the disabled person and the carer being satisfied. Universal
Credit includes a carer element where an eligible adult in the household provides
regular and substantial care for a person with a long-term health condition or disability.
The element is awarded where that person satisfies the conditions of entitlement of
Carer's Allowance.</p><p> </p><p>Support for carers is an integral part of social
care. Under current legislation, local authorities have a duty to assess carers who
are providing substantial care on a regular basis, when requested to do so. The assessment
and any eligible services to follow that are designed to support a carer to continue
their caring responsibilities, are for the local authority to determine.</p><p> </p><p>Carers
are also central to the Government's proposals for improving care and support, and
there are significant improvements in the Care Bill for carers. The Bill extends carers'
rights to an assessment, which will be based on an appearance of need and will include
consideration of the impact of caring on the carer, and the outcomes they wish to
achieve. For the first time, there will be a duty on local authorities to meet carers'
eligible needs for support, putting them on an equal footing to the people they care
for.</p><p> </p><p>We have also provided £400 million to the National Health Service
over four years from 2011 for carers to have breaks from their caring responsibilities.
In the 2013 Spending Review, we announced the £3.8 billion Better Care Fund, which
includes £130 millionfunding for carers' breaks for 2015-16.</p><p> </p>
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