A PENSIONER has told the Gazette he is being denied money to which he feels he is entitled for looking after his disabled wife because he receives a state pension.

Colin McDonnell, 71, of Frenchay, has looked after his wife Maureen, who suffers from dementia, for a year.

Mr McDonnell is unable to claim a carer's allowance because he already draws a basic state pension of £79 a week.

Mrs McDonnell is entitled to claim attendance allowance of £58 a week on top of her state pension, but there is no additional support for her carer.

Mr McDonnell said: "My wife has attendance allowance which qualifies me to apply for carer's allowance. My wife is incapacitated and I look after her 24 hours a day.

"I filled in the forms for carer's allowance two months ago. The reply came through a few weeks ago telling me I was entitled to £43.15 a week. However, they said that I can't have it because my state pension is more than £70. Every man over retiring age has a state pension of more than £70 a week.

"They say that you can't claim for carer's allowance if you earn over £77 a week but I am not earning that money - I am entitled to it. I have been paying for it since I was 15. They are treating it as a benefit and that is an insult.

"I phoned the claims department and they told me there are thousands of people who can't understand why they are not getting the allowance when they are looking after relatives.

"All I am interested in is that I am entitled to the money but because of my state pension, I can't have it.

"We are encouraged to look after our families at home so I am wondering if I should be sending them a bill at the end of the month."

Mr McDonnell's plight has been highlighted by Chris Butt, Parliamentary spokesman for Northavon Conservatives, who says this situation is mirrored throughout South Gloucestershire.

Mr Butt told the Gazette: "I am dismayed that Mr McDonnell is not able to claim Carer's Allowance. He is caring for his wife every minute of the day and yet there is no financial support to help him carry out this role.

"He is disadvantaged because he is a pensioner claiming the basic state pension.

"Mr McDonnell is doing a job that would normally cost hundreds or thousands of pounds a week if carried out in a nursing home. He is saving the NHS and care services a considerable amount in time and money by looking after his wife at home. Therefore, it seems only right and proper that he is entitled to support."

In the UK, one in eight adults are classed as carer's, 42 per cent of which are men.