Hannah (Marketing and Communications Officer) sits down with Michael (Welfare and Benefits Adviser) to discuss all things finance. 

.

Hannah: Hi Michael! Thanks for talking with me today. Can I ask what your career background is, and what led you to Carers Manchester?

Michael: I worked in refugee integration for some years and welfare benefits were already a big part of my work then. When that project ended, I got a job at Citizens Advice. I’ve now been with Carers Manchester for almost 3 years. I specialise in welfare benefits advice, because it’s an integral component of social justice and there is so much demand, but not enough provision for it. Especially for carers, as some of the most complicated parts of the benefit system are affecting carers.

Hannah: What does a typical day look like for you?

Michael: Most days I’m on the phone with carers, checking they’re receiving everything they’re entitled to, giving advice on any problems they have with their benefits, helping complete forms or helping them make calls to the DWP. Most enquiries are routine, but there are also complex enquiries, where I need to do some research myself. I get out into the community as well and meet groups of carers for workshops on welfare benefits, or I have a stall at a local event.

Hannah: What are some common concerns or problems carers have, regarding benefits or finances?

Michael: Most carers can’t work due to their caring responsibilities, and they often need to rely on benefits. At the same time, carers face extra costs that come with their caring responsibilities so some carers, literally, have no money left for themselves. For some carers, the only time they don’t spend caring is when they get a few hours of sleep. Some carers also have health conditions themselves. All this significantly limits carers’ time and capacity available for dealing with bills and benefits, and many carers end up not getting the full benefits they are entitled to. Considering all this, carers are almost set up to be in financial difficulties.

Hannah: Can you give an example of a positive result you managed to achieve for a carer?

Michael: Between a third and a half of the carers I speak with are not getting the correct amounts of benefits paid. Following my advice, dozens of carers had increases in their benefit payments of £100 per week or more. The highest gain I helped a carer to get so far was a backdated payment of £16,000.

Hannah: How can carers get in touch with you?

Michael: The best and easiest way is to call the Carers Manchester Contact Point on 0161 543 8000 and to speak with one of my colleagues running the helpline. They’ll pass on any benefit enquiries to me, and I usually call carers back within a week of the enquiry.

Hannah: What kind of information do carers need to have available when they contact you for a benefit entitlement check?

Michael: I just need some information on the carer’s basic circumstances, including on the benefits they’re already receiving. Depending on the enquiry, I may also need to know details of carers’ income and savings. But to reassure you, this information doesn’t get shared with anyone outside Carers Manchester.

Hannah: Who should carers contact if they’re having a financial emergency?

Michael: As I’m the only benefits adviser at Carers Manchester, there are sometimes limits to the things I can do. Using an analogy, I’m more like a GP as opposed to an A&E department. I don’t have access to heavy machinery, such as a large team of benefits advisers or extensive contacts within DWP departments. But even if I can’t help a carer myself, I can always make a referral to Citizens Advice.

.

Need some welfare and benefits advice? Please phone or email The Contact Point, and they’ll put you in touch with Michael.