DWP urged to give £500 extra payment for unpaid carers this winter

The country is in the midst of a cost of living crisis which is placing unprecedented pressure on working families. Unpaid carers are among the most vulnerable groups of people and many claim Carer’s Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Despite this support, leading charities are lobbying for an extra £500 to be awarded to unpaid carers in a bid to assist them throughout the winter months.Recent research carried out by Carers UK found that 16 percent of carers are currently in debt.This figure increases to two in five unpaid carers in the country who are receiving Carer’s Allowance.In the organisation’s survey, a quarter of people polled admitted that they are having to cut back on food and heating at the detriment of their health.The DWP is being urged to consider further targeted support for unpaid in the winter months with energy bills expected to rise further for many households.READ MORE: Britons urged to consider ‘simple’ boiler hack that could cut energy bills by £112 a year Carer’s Allowance alert: DWP urged to give £500 extra payment for unpaid carers (Image: GETTY)Helen Walker, the chief executive of Carers UK, has voiced her concerns about the plight of unpaid carers amid the rise in the cost of living.She explained: ‘We know that many carers providing round the clock care are at crisis point – bearing the brunt of exceptionally high inflation, including a rapid rise in the cost of food and energy and having to turn to food banks.’Reducing their electricity and food consumption is just not an option for some, without putting the older or disabled person they support at risk.’The carer expert outlined how unpaid carers contribute to the economy which she believes should factor into future benefit payment increases.DON’T MISSPIP claim: The top 5 medical conditions giving £627 a month from DWP – check eligibility [INSIGHT]’I now get money every month!’ Woman, 65, shares way she found extra money for retirement [INSIGHT]NS&I is increasing interest rates on savings accounts up to 3.7% – millions set to benefit [UPDATE]Ms Walker said: ‘Carers receiving Carer’s Allowance cannot easily work or increase their hours due to the demanding nature of their caring commitments.’They have not received any targeted support, despite saving the Government £193billion a year during the pandemic.’Without unpaid carers, our health and social care systems would not have been able to manage.’It is essential that the new Prime Minister sticks to his previous pledge and uprates all carer benefits in line with inflation at the earliest opportunity.’READ MORE: Attendance Allowance: 6 myths that stop millions of pensioners claiming up to £370 a month How much is the benefit payment? (Image: EXPRESS.CO.UK) Get rich and retire early – man, 24, does it by investing £12 a day Specifically, she urged the Government to consider an additional £500 payment to help carers most in need throughout the coming months.She added: ‘Carers UK is also calling for carers to receive a winter top up payment of at least £500, so that they have a better chance of managing and keeping themselves and their loved ones well in the short term.’From his time as Chancellor, Rishi Sunak knows the huge challenges our social care system faces – and so it is vital that long-term investment in social care is delivered, to enable carers to take breaks and get back into the labour market if they wish to.’Having forgone any meaningful support for so long, carers are now burnt out, exhausted, and their health and livelihoods are in jeopardy.’Claimants of this DWP benefit are able to get £69.70 a week if they care for someone at least 35 hours a week.However, that person will need to be in receipt of at least one of the qualifying benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Attendance Allowance.It should be noted that people do not get paid more Carer’s Allowance even if they look after more than one person.Furthermore, if another person cares for the same person as the claimant, only one is able to receive the DWP payment.