§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what circumstances(a) carers can claim invalid care allowance about the age of 65 years and (b) eligible carers below the age of 65 years can postpone their receipt of invalid care allowance until they reach the age of 65 years or above. [10857]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Government recognise the valuable contribution made by carers to providing community care. Benefit provision is aimed at helping to maintain the income of someone who gives up the opportunity of full-time work to provide care on a regular and substantial basis to a severely disabled person.
One of the qualifying conditions for invalid care allowance is, therefore, that a person has not attained pensionable age. Payments of ICA may continue beyond age 65, if entitlement was established before that age. There is no provision for people to postpone receipt of the benefit.
We are committed to a review with the objective of reducing poverty and welfare dependency and promoting work incentives. Provision for disabled people and their carers will form part of that review.