Hi everyone. I hope you are all ok. I have just received an email about discrimination to carers. Mum is in a care home now. This of course has put me onto the unemployment register. When I signed off Carers Allowance and made my claim for Jobseekers, I made a point of telling them that I have been a carer for four years. Since then I have been treated like I have been out of work for four years, but claiming a different benefit. I am so pleased that carers have some protection now, but I feel that ex carers are being discriminated against when trying to get back to work. In recent weeks I have been informed, by the Jobcentre office staff, that I didn't need to claim Jobseekers Allowance until four weeks after I had stopped caring for Mum to give me chance to clear her affairs up. Why didn't they tell me that when I registered to sign on at first. I had been given advice to the fact by friends, and I think on here, but I couldn't find anything in black and white to say it, and when it is the only income I have coming in, I didn't want to be left high and dry up the creek without a paddle so to speak. I have made a successful complaint to my Jobseeker Plus office and am waiting to see what they have to say. It will give me the chance to bring this point up.
All the best for now, Brian
All the best for now, Brian