The Impact of Carer’s Allowance in Karnataka, India and Beyond
In a world where caregiving often goes unnoticed and unappreciated, the introduction of the Carer’s Allowance in the Government of Karnataka's recent budget for the financial year 2024-2025 marks a significant step towards recognising and supporting the invaluable contributions of unpaid family carers.
This allowance will provide Rs1,000/month to the carers of people with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.
Carers Worldwide plays a crucial role in advocating for the rights of unpaid carers in Karnataka and we were instrumental in making the Carer’s Allowance a reality.
Over the years, we have worked closely with policy makers, providing rationale and justification as to why it’s important to financially support unpaid carers who are providing high dependency care. For the past three years, a Carer’s Allowance of Rs500/month for carers of severely disabled children or those who need high dependency care, has been available in the districts where we work. We lobbied local authorities to put this in place and those same local authorities were involved in the state level meetings which resulted in the state-wide Carer’s Allowance. District Disability Welfare Officers from the districts we work in were able to bring forward the story of unpaid carers, share their struggles and advocate for the state to support them.
By raising awareness, building evidence, making a strong case for support to include unpaid carers, and collaborating with our local charity partners, Carers Worldwide has helped shine a spotlight on the challenges faced by unpaid carers and work towards introducing new policies and programmes that support their needs.
But what does the Carer’s Allowance mean for the unpaid carers in Karnataka who will receive it?
For many unpaid carers in Karnataka, the Carer’s Allowance is a lifeline. It provides much-needed financial support to individuals who dedicate their time and energy to caring for their loved ones. This allowance not only acknowledges the challenges and sacrifices unpaid carers face, but also helps alleviate some of the financial burden they may encounter in their caregiving journey. Whether it's providing care for an elderly parent with Parkinson's disease, a child with cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, or a family member with multiple sclerosis, the Carer’s Allowance offers a sense of relief and recognition for the tireless efforts of unpaid carers across the state.
Our local partners, Margadarshi, SAMUHA, BIRDS, SSA, and Narendra Foundation in Karnataka, were involved in making a strong case for unpaid carers to have financial assistance as they are giving up their lives and careers to take care of their loved ones. With the announcement of the Carer’s Allowance by the Government of Karnataka, our partners have expressed their support and enthusiasm for this groundbreaking initiative.
One partner representative, Mr. Rajanna K V, commented,
"Carers' issues were like ‘ash-covered fire’ (unseen). Carers Worldwide and its partner organisations have made that flame visible, illuminating the vital role of carers, and the Government of Karnataka has recognised them. They announced plans to provide Carer’s Allowance in the budget for the year 2024-2025; it’s a powerful testament to the recognition of their invaluable contributions."
We are proud to have been part of this journey and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on unpaid carers and their families.
However, the journey towards supporting unpaid carers and promoting inclusivity is far from over. While the introduction of the Carer’s Allowance in Karnataka is a significant achievement, there is still much work to be done to ensure that unpaid carers across all Indian states receive similar support. In the meantime, we will be prioritising two states for our campaign as a next step: Tamil Nadu and Odisha. To achieve this, we will work closely with our partners, unpaid carers and their loved ones, service providers, academics, advocates, and networking agencies to design a campaign strategy and plans for collaborating with policymakers, raising awareness, and advocating for the expansion of support services for unpaid carers in these two states.
Moreover, there is a pressing need to increase the number of disabilities supported under the Carer’s Allowance. Many unpaid carers provide care for individuals with a wide range of disabilities, each with unique needs and challenges. By broadening the scope of support services, we can ensure that all unpaid carers receive the assistance they need to provide the best possible care for their loved ones.
In conclusion, the introduction of the Carer’s Allowance in Karnataka is a significant milestone in the journey towards recognising and supporting unpaid carers. It offers much-needed financial assistance to unpaid carers in the state and highlights the importance of their role in society. However, there is still much work to be done to extend this support to unpaid carers across India and beyond and to increase the number of disabilities supported. Through continued advocacy, collaboration, and dedication, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for unpaid carers and their families across South Asia.
