A ‘grossly unfair’ Carer’s Allowance rule could mean more than 19,000 young adult carers are missing out on support while they study, a charity has warned.
Carers Trust called for young adult carers to be exempt from a rule that means people cannot claim Carer’s Allowance if they study for 21 or more hours a week.
In England and Wales, there are an estimated 19,370 carers aged 16-24 who care for 35 hours a week, a requirement to receive the allowance, but who are ineligible because they are in full time education.
Carers Trust said the ‘21 hour rule’ meant these young carers could be losing out on more than £4,000 a year.
The charity’s policy and practice manager, Andy McGowan, said: ‘Many are being forced to make an impossible choice between trying to do the right thing by those they care for and pursuing their dreams.
‘The struggle to balance caring with education is already huge for many, affecting everything from their exam results to mental health, to future job prospects.
‘Making them exempt from the 21-hour rule would be a vital step towards levelling the playing field.’
Check out our feature from Carers Trust CEO Kirsty McHugh: The Carer’s Allowance scandal
