Unpaid carers in Wales set to receive a £500 payment

Welsh Government has announced that more than 57,000 unpaid carers across Wales will receive a £500 payment in recognition of the pivotal role they have played during the pandemic.

The payment recognises the financial and emotional hardship many unpaid carers have experienced, and is available to all those who are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance on 31 March 2022.

An unpaid carer is someone who cares for a partner, relative or friend who has an illness of disability. Carers Allowance is paid to people caring for more than 35 hours a week who care for someone receiving specific benefits, and who earn no more than £128 a week.

The payment is being launched by Welsh Government after a survey of more than 1,500 unpaid carers found that nearly half had to use their personal savings and give up work or study to care, while more than half had to give up on hobbies or personal interests because of their caring role.

The payment is intended to help unpaid carers cope with increased living costs and the fact that many will be caring for individuals with complex needs who require warm homes, specialist medical equipment and certain foods.

Welsh Government will be publicising full details on how and when unpaid carers will be able to register for the additional payment, and further information will be available very soon.