Almost half of applications for carer support across the nation have been rejected by local authorities, according to new research.
Will Donnelly, Co-Founder at Lottie, who conducted the research, said the figures are “alarming” and that a lack of resources, support and assistance is “exacerbating the caregiving crisis facing our nation.”
The applications for carer support included requests for financial support, local authority commissioned support and signposting to useful information and advice.
However, the research also revealed major discrepancies in the level of support available, with unpaid carers in Bromley, the Wirral, Rochdale, Warwickshire, Barnet, Essex, Cumbria, and Kirklees receiving the lowest level of emotional, financial and practical support from their local authority.
Over two thirds of applications were rejected in these areas, resulting in seven in 10 unpaid carers being left without vital support.
Lottie is now calling on the government to address the ‘broken social care system’ and immediately put it at the top of their agenda.
Amid the cost of living crisis, unpaid carers are struggling now more than ever. Even with the additional benefit of receiving Carer’s Allowance, the average unpaid carer is out of pocket by £2,494 per year.
More and more carers have been searching for help online, and there has been a 5000% increase in online searches for ‘carers support grant budget 2024’ and ‘carer payment eligibility’.
“It is crucial the challenges faced by unpaid carers each day are addressed and eased – starting with tackling the issue of unequal carer support discrepancies across the UK,” Donnelly said.
To ease this burden, Lottie is offering carers the chance to win a variety of prizes worth up to £250 each day between 5th and 15th December.
There are a variety of prizes which include options to stay in or go out, including theatre tickets, dining options and supermarket vouchers.
Entries open for carers to self-nominate themselves on Thursday 23rd November and will close on Sunday 3rd December.
