Carers 'must get what they're owed'

By Liam Allen
BBC News

"I wouldn't say the extra money has made a big difference but it means we can afford a few extras like the odd meal out."

Brian Duckels, 67, from Selby in Yorkshire, has cared full time for his wife Gina, 65, for the last 21 years.

Brian Duckels gave up work to care for his wife 21 years ago

He gave up his job as an office manager in 1984 to care for Gina, who has chronic arthritis and suffers severe blackouts about twice a week.

"I do everything," he told the BBC News website.

"Cooking, washing, ironing, decorating - everything.

"I can't have a day off. I can't go anywhere."

Mr Duckels gets a state pension, plus the Pension Credit which he qualifies for because of the "Carer Premium" he is entitled to for looking after his wife.

She received the Severe Disability Allowance (SDA) for a number of years.

"My wife became pensionable age at 60 but we were advised that she would get more if she carried on with the SDA.

"Then, when she was 65, we got a letter from the Pension Service saying she should look to go on a pension.

"We just sent a form they'd sent back and my wife ticked it and signed it."

'Very stressful'

It was only at this point that the Duckels, on the advice of staff at Selby and York Carers Centre, realised they could be entitled to a "top-up" on her pension because of her illness.

The whole system is a minefield - there's so many ifs and buts Brian Duckels

"We didn't know the ins and outs of it all."

In all, and with the help of the carers centre, it took a full six months before the Pension Service finally acknowledged that Mrs Duckels was entitled to Pension Credit.

Mr Duckels says the system must be simplified.

"It was very stressful - you don't know what's going on and it takes them ages.

"The whole system is a minefield - there's so many ifs and buts."

Mr Duckels' experience is far from unique.

A report by Carers UK says more than 300,000 over-60s are going without the vital benefits they are entitled to.

"A lot of carers don't bother because of the hassle and they go on to their pensions," Mr Duckels said.

"There's a lack of clear information and carers need to know where to go.

"There's help out there and it's knowing how to get it."

Extra money

Although, it was "a lot of bother" to get the extra money, Mr Duckels said it was worth the stress.

"The extra money just helps a bit - we didn't socialise or go out.

My advice to carers who are not getting any benefits is to get out there and get it Brian Duckels

"If you want to go and have a meal, or watch a film or go on holiday we just couldn't, so it's helped."

He added: "My advice to carers who are not getting any benefits is to get out there and get it."

People who had "paid into the system" for many years should get what they are entitled to, he said.

"I haven't worked for the last 21 years, but I worked for 29 years, and we have paid in for that time.

"It's not our fault this has happened - it's fate."