Crawley Residents will suffer if older carers miss out on benefits

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 2nd Dec 2005

"This report underlines the need for councils to increase the quality of the information they provide to older carers."

Commenting on the Carers UK report that says 300,000 over-60s are missing out on their legitimate entitlements, local Crawley Councillor Linda Seekings said. "With over 15% of Crawley's residents over 65 that means that there are potentially a lot of Crawley people losing money that rightfully belongs to them." Sandra Gidley MP, Liberal Democrat spokeswoman for older people said "Hot on the heels of the Commission for Social Care Inspection Council star ratings, this report underlines the need for councils to increase the quality of the information they provide to older carers."

Continuing Sandra Gidley said "Carers provide an extra safety net beyond Government support for elderly people. The claims system is complex and carers need to be encouraged to seek their full entitlements. Society will be the poorer if a lack of information about accessing financial support deters carers from performing their vital roles."