DWP urged to ‘write off' Carer's Allowance overpayments for small or inadvertent breaches of earnings limit
The Carer's Allowance earnings threshold is £196 per week.
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Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Gibson has urged the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if it has 'made an assessment of the potential merits of writing off historical Carer's Allowance overpayments in cases involving small or inadvertent breaches of the earnings limit'.
Carers in England and Wales who go over the Carer's Allowance earnings limit of £196 per week must return the full £83.30 a week benefit payment - often referred to as a 'cliff edge' penalty. This means someone going just £1 a week over the earnings limit for one year (52 weeks) would result in the claimant having to pay back £4,330 and not just £52.
DWP recently announced changes to Carer's Allowance will include sending text messages to claimants, advising them they are over the earning threshold. An overhaul of the way Carer's Allowance overpayments are checked has also been announced.
In a written response to Ms Gibson, DWP Minister Andrew Western, said: 'The Government inherited a system where busy carers, already struggling under a huge weight of responsibility, have been left having to repay large sums of overpaid Carer's Allowance - sometimes worth thousands of pounds.
'We needed to understand exactly what had gone wrong so we could set out our plan to put things right. That is why we launched an Independent Review of earnings-related overpayments of Carer's Allowance.
'The review is investigating how overpayments of Carer's Allowance have occurred; what can best be done to support those who have accrued them; and how to reduce the risk of these problems occurring in future.'
He continued: 'It is anticipated that the Independent Review will arrive at its conclusions this summer. We will, of course, carefully consider the findings of the review and its recommendations. Both the report from the Independent Review and the Government's response will be published.'
Mr Western added: 'We have been clear (including in the Terms of Reference) that the review is not a substitute for legal proceedings (Mandatory Reconsiderations/Appeals) and the existence of the review does not prejudice any business-as-usual activity by DWP. It would not be appropriate to speculate on the findings of the review or any potential outcomes.
'Where overpayments do occur, the Department has a duty to the taxpayer to protect public funds and to ask for money to be paid back. We remain committed to working with anyone who is struggling with their repayment terms and will always look to negotiate sustainable and affordable repayment plans.'
Support for unpaid carers in Scotland
Carer Support Payment is money you can get if you provide care for someone and meet certain eligibility criteria.
be 16 or over
usually live in Scotland
provide care for 35 hours or more a week, this includes if you provide care all day every day
not earn more than £196 a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses
The person you care for must already get one of these benefits:
Adult Disability Payment – daily living component
Child Disability Payment – middle or highest rate care component
Pension Age Disability Payment
Attendance Allowance
Personal Independence Payment – daily living component
Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance - middle or highest rate care component
Disability Living Allowance – middle or highest rate care component
Constant Attendance Allowance at or above normal maximum rate with Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension
Armed Forces Independence Payment
You can find out more about how it might affect other payments here.
The type of care you provide
To get Carer Support Payment, you must provide care for someone as an unpaid carer for 35 hours or more a week.
It cannot be care you provide:
as a professional care worker
through a volunteering scheme or charity
Even if you do not think of yourself as an unpaid carer, you might be eligible for Carer Support Payment. Examples of caring for someone include supporting them:
with their mental health
during an illness
with a disability
if they have an addiction
Supporting someone with their mental health
If you provide care for someone with a mental health condition, you might:
comfort them during a panic attack
stay close by so they do not feel alone
support them through a crisis
make sure they're safe
keep them company
Supporting someone with an illness or disability
If you provide care for someone with an illness or disability, you might support them with:
getting around
getting dressed
taking medicines
using the shower or toilet
cooking meals
food shopping
translating
The person you provide care for
You might provide care for:
someone in your family
a friend
a neighbour
You do not have to live with them or be related to them.
You can only apply for Carer Support Payment for one person. If you provide care for more people, you are not entitled to extra payments.
You can check if you are eligible for Carer Support Payment and find full details on the devolved benefit on the mygov.scot website here.
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