to get support. not that — you can't put a value on caring for someone, but it doesn't pay the bills. it doesn't help, really. and it's a very cold, standard process which is followed. the letters are very sharp. and when you're feeling really low, it doesn't help at all. it doesn't help. sarah cares for her mum, her brother and two children. she receives her carer�*s allowance payments each week, but they don't go far. it goes straight on my car. last week, i had four appointments — between my mum and my brother, i had four medical appointments, and that's on top of taking my children out and doing things. so it doesn't go very far with fuel prices and distances and everything. campaigners say the carer�*s allowance system is too confusing. neil has cared for his partner, david, since he was diagnosed with a rare degenerative eye condition. it is like a bereavement when you lose your eyesight. but, now, i've learned to cope