§ Ms Julie MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what financial help is available for carers who reach retirement age. [140890]
§ Mr. BayleyCarers of retirement age may be entitled to a number of social security benefits depending on their individual circumstances, primarily retirement pension and income related benefits including the Minimum Income Guarantee.
Entitlement to Invalid Care Allowance, if determined before age 65, continues afterwards, which allows many low income carers to continue to benefit from the carer premium paid as part of the income related benefits.
On 3 October, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security, announced the intention to extend the opportunity to claim Invalid Care Allowance to carers aged over 65 years. Some older carers will thereby be able to receive Invalid Care Allowance for the first time, and many more carers on low incomes will hence gain access to the carer premium. We intend to introduce this change as soon as the legislative timetable permits.
My right hon. Friend also announced on 9 November that the carer premium will be increased by £10 a week on top of the normal uprating from April 2001, an increase of over 70 per cent.
§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) at what age the Invalid Care Allowance ceases for(a) a woman caring for a sick husband and (b) a man caring for a sick wife; [140767]
(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that provision for carers of Alzheimer patients continues after the carers reach pensionable age. [141170]
§ Mr. BayleyThe rules for Invalid Care Allowance (ICA) are the same for men and women. For people under 65, entitlement to ICA continues for as long as the conditions of entitlement are met. Entitlement, once determined, continues beyond age 65.
The rules relating to overlapping benefits mean that after state pension age (65 for a man and 60 for a woman), Invalid Care Allowance may no longer be payable, or payable in full, if Retirement Pension is in payment.
On 3 October, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security announced the intention to extend the opportunity to claim Invalid Care Allowance to over-65-year-old carers. Some older carers will thereby be able to receive Invalid Care Allowance for the first time, and many more carers on low incomes will hence gain access to the carer premium. We intend to introduce this change as soon as the legislative timetable permits.
My right hon. Friend also announced on 9 November that the carer premium will be increased by –10 a week on top of the normal uprating from April 2001, an increase of over 70 per cent.