IVA & Debt Consolidation Advice

A leading carers' organisation has warned that carers in Northern Ireland face a future that is riddle with debt, worry, and health problems according to survey results throughout the UK. The survey, based on 3,000 carers, suggests that those who care for a disabled or chronically ill relative or friend can expect to face severe financial penalties. According to survey results, carers were forced to make cuts in food, heating and clothing, give up their jobs and sacrifice their pensions. Just in Northern Ireland, carers' support is worth £1.9 billion a year.

Helen Ferguson, director of carers NI, is seeking an overhaul of the current benefits and tax system for carers. She says that the carers' benefits were designed in the 1970s when things in the world were much different. Because of significant changes since then, she says a complete overhaul of the system is necessary.

Ms. Ferguson feels that there is a need to invest heavily in social care so that carers and their families can partake of things that other people take for granted such as going shopping, having a weekend break, taking classes, or working.

Ninety-three per cent of carers who responded to the NI survey said their financial situation had deteriorated since they became a carer. This compares to an average of 73 per cent in the UK as a whole. Approximately 48 per cent reported having difficulty paying gas/electricity or telephone bills and were or had been in debt.

The survey also showed indications that parents of disabled children under 18 and those who were caring for adult children who were disabled had more debts and financial difficulty than most others.

Ms. Ferguson further stated that the National Carers Strategy review that was announced by the British government would provide the perfect opportunity to review the current tax and benefits system for carers.