I have 2 separate clts who presently receive IS as a top up to their CA, they are both 19 yrs old and single. Since the introduction of ESA would it now be possible for them to claim ESA instead as it appears that they would not be subject to assessment for work as they are full time carers. It seems to me that ESA is more generous for them as the rate goes up to £60.50 after 13 weeks rather than them staying on £47.95 until they reach 25 yrs of age. I would welcome advice on this question.

Paul Gregg has recommended that (with the proposed abolition of IS) carers who get CA should go on to the support group rate of ESA, along with the lone parents of children under 1 year old, and not be subjected to any conditionality at all, even WFIs.

However, until (unless?) that change is implemented - which would require a huge big and complex welfare reform act taking months and months to get through parliament, income support is the only thing they can claim. They do not fall within the present scope of ESA.

I can't see how being a carer on CA would make any impression on the LCW test (the doorman for ESA), unless of course the same carers are at the same time substantially sick.

I would also be very surprised if the government allows non-sick carers into the nirvana that is the support group for ESA. This would make even less sense than the proposal to abolish IS. Of course, on that basis it is probably quite likely.

This ideological obsession with trying to convert us all through the simple expedient of changing the law, into a population of either:

1) workers, or

2) plucky work seekers, or

3) temporarily sick but very close to being conditioned into workers,

is ever so silly, don't you think?

Steve

The White paper shows that the government has ruled out abolishing IS for the present, and strongly suggests they really don't know what to do about carers.

I suggest we start to give out medals. A quick glance at Treasury figures suggests we spend £1.2 billion on CA per annum. I read somewhere that carers save the UK economy about £60 billion per annum in preventing residential care and long term stays in geriatric wings of hospitals etc. Not a bad return.

I'd second that. Raising CA to basic JSA levels would go a long way, mind you.