DWP confirms that Covid-19-related carer’s allowance easements ended on 31 August 2021

New edition of Touchbase says that easements have ended due to vaccination programme allowing 'a cautious easing of restrictions'

The DWP has confirmed that the carer’s allowance easements that were introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic ended on 31 August 2021.

In a new edition of its Touchbase online update, the DWP says -

'The government recognised the vital role unpaid carers played during the coronavirus pandemic by ensuring DWP carer’s allowance benefit continued to be paid, despite changes to patterns of care forced upon carers by circumstances beyond their control. A relaxation of rules around breaks in care and recognition of emotional support was initiated in March 2020.'

However, the DWP adds that -

'The vaccination programme has weakened the link between cases, hospitalisations and deaths, which has allowed a cautious easing of restrictions. The carer’s allowance easements ceased to apply after 31 August 2021.'

NB - the retention of entitlement to carer's allowance during breaks in caring as a result of the coronavirus was introduced by the Social Security (Coronavirus) (Further Measures) Regulations 2020 (SI.No.371/2020), and that provision was extended to 31 August 2021 by the Social Security (Coronavirus) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2021 (SI.No.476/2021).

Touchbase:10 September 2021 is available from dwp.gov.uk