The Institute of Welfare was entered in the Register of Charities with effect from 10 November 2011. The Registered Number is 1144623.

The Campaign to End Loneliness (January 2012)

For an update on the Campaign's work as at October 2011. Please click here.

For January 2012 update please click here.

Australian Community Workers Association (October 2011)

The Institute is pleased to announce that it has renewed its association with the ACWA. Click here       to read more about this story.

Civil Service Benevolent Fund (October 2011)

CSBF have launched a new initiative Health on your Mind - Supporting Emotional Well-being. 

To learn more click here.

Carers UK has put together a list of frequently asked questions to explain what the Governments plans for reforming the benefits system will mean for carers and disabled people. Here are some highlights of the information included within the report.    - May 2011 

What is Universal Credit?                                                                                                                                                                                  To simplify the benefits system, the government has announced they are creating a new benefit called Universal Credit, to replace most existing benefits and tax credits for people of working age. The benefits being replaced include Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-related Employment & Support Allowance.

The Universal Credit will be means-tested which means that anyone who applies will have their income and savings assessed, and if they, or a partner, earn over a certain amount or have a certain amount of savings they will be unable to get the Universal Credit. These amounts will be set later by the Government so we do not know yet who would be eligible.

Universal Credit will be paid either on an individual basis if claimants are single, or to couples jointly. There will be a basic rate called the ‘standard allowance' and extra amounts for people in different circumstances .   For example if they have children, a disability or need help with housing costs.

Carers Benefits ....

What is happening to Carers Allowance?

 There are currently three main groups of people getting carers benefits:

1)   Carers who currently do not qualify for means ­tested benefits and just get Carer's Allowance at £53.90 a week. Carers in this group will not be directly affected by the introduction of the universal credit - this group will remain outside the new system and the government has not announced any plans to reform the allowance they receive.

2)   Carers who receive means-tested benefits like Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance, with a Carer Premium. Carers in this group will have their means-tested benefits moved onto Universal Credit, which will also include an additional amount for carers. Carers who are currently on benefits like Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance will have those benefits replaced by the standard allowance Universal Credit and may get an extra amount for caring similar to the Carer Premium.

3)   Carers over State Pension Age, who qualify for Carers Allowance, do not get it at the same time as their State Pension because of the rules of the benefits system. These carers may get a Carer Addition. These carers will also not be directly affected by the introduction of Universal Credit and will continue to receive the same benefits and Pension. The Government has announced it is to simply the process for claiming the Carer Addition in Pension Credit. New rules mean these carers would not now have to apply for Carers Allowance, which they know they are not eligible to receive, in order to the get in to the system to be considered for the Carer Addition.