Increased help for carers through the rating system - 1 December 2010

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND PERSONNEL

1 December 2010

Increased help for carers through the rating system

Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has today announced plans to increase support for carers, through the low income rate relief scheme.

The low income rate relief scheme provides help to those just above the housing benefit threshold or in receipt of partial housing benefit. It uses the same parameters as the housing benefit scheme. The planned increase in the carer premium will take effect from 1 April 2011.

Sammy Wilson said: “It is important that support is provided to those people within society who take on the vital role of helping those in need of care.

“This additional support will provide a 20% uplift in the carer premium under the existing low income rate relief scheme. This will ensure that more households get help with their rates, as well as increase the amount of support provided to those currently in receipt of the carer premium and who are in receipt of some housing benefit or rate relief.

“For the vast majority of ratepaying households that are eligible this will represent additional help to the relief they already receive through the existing low income rate relief scheme.

“It is anticipated that this measure will provide additional support to up to 2,500 people throughout Northern Ireland whilst acknowledging the very difficult financial situation that we are all in.”

While the Minister urged all ratepayers to consider applying for help with their rates, he placed particular emphasis on carers, he said: “Carers should ensure that they receive all the help to which they are entitled and I would take this opportunity to encourage people to apply, particularly if there has been a change in their circumstances or even if they may not have previously been eligible.”

Helen Ferguson, Director of Carers Northern Ireland welcomed the move, saying: "We know from our own research that increasing numbers of carers are finding themselves in ever more difficult financial hardship. Their caring responsibilities mean that they have no way of earning extra income when times are tough. We believe this will be a simple and cost-effective way to improve the situation for some carers who are really struggling."

Helen Ferguson joined the Minister in urging carers to make sure that they take up all of the benefits and other entitlements that are designed to support them in their vital role.