Latest news with #CarersAllowance
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DWP issuing £400 payments earlier than expected in May
Thousands of people who claim benefits may discover their payment date could change. This is because of the bank holidays arriving in May, reports MirrorOnline. This can affect people claiming benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) and HMRC, such as Universal Credit and Child Benefit. READ MORE: DWP PIP claimants will see more money in accounts amid benefit payments change Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp, click the link to join The DWP and HMRC do not issue benefit payments on bank holidays - they normally arrive on the previous working day. The second bank holiday is on Monday, May 26 - so if you're due a benefit payment on this date, your money should land on Friday, May 23 instead. The amount you're paid will be exactly the same, and it will be paid into your usual bank account as normal. For example, if you're single and aged over 25 on Universal Credit, you can expect to receive your monthly standards allowance of £400.14 earlier than expected. The only difference is, you will need to make your money last longer, as you'll have a bigger wait until your next benefit payment. If you were expecting your benefit and it hasn't arrived, contact the DWP helpline on 0800 328 5644. Keep in mind this helpline is closed on bank holiday days, but you will be able to get in touch the previous working day, or the day after the bank holiday. Attendance Allowance - Usually every four weeks Carer's Allowance - Weekly in advance or every four weeks Child Benefit - Usually every four weeks Disability Living Allowance - Usually every four weeks Employment and Support Allowance - Usually every two weeks Income Support - Usually every two weeks Jobseeker's Allowance - Usually every two weeks Pension Credit - Usually every four weeks Personal Independence Payment - Usually every four weeks State Pension - Usually every four weeks Tax credits - Every four weeks or weekly Universal Credit - Every month Wednesday, January 1 - New Year's Day Friday, April 18 - Good Friday Monday, April 21 - Easter Monday Monday, May 5 - Early May bank holiday Monday, May 26 - Spring bank holiday Monday, August 25 - Summer bank holiday Thursday, December 25 - Christmas Day Friday, December 26 - Boxing Day Wednesday, January 1 - New Year's Day Thursday, January 2 - January 2 Friday, April 18 - Good Friday Monday, May 5 - Early May bank holiday Monday, May 26 - Spring bank holiday Monday, August 4 - Summer bank holiday Monday, December 1 - St Andrew's Day Thursday, December 25 - Christmas Day Friday, December 26 - Boxing Day Wednesday, January 1 - New Year's Day Monday, March 17 - St Patrick's Day Friday, April 18 - Good Friday Monday, April 21 - Easter Monday Monday, May 5 - Early May bank holiday Monday, May 26 - Spring bank holiday Monday, July 14 - Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day) Monday, August 25 - Summer bank holiday Thursday, December 25 - Christmas Day Friday, December 26 - Boxing Day
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Warning for tens of thousands on benefits being forced to repay up to £20k due to DWP error
TENS of thousands on benefits are being forced to repay up to £20,000 due to DWP errors. Households on Carer's Allowance are having fork out huge sums after going over the benefit's weekly earnings limit. 1 The limit was previously £151 but was hiked to £196 in April - the biggest rise in almost 50 years. Anyone on the benefit that goes over this limit has to repay the amount they were overpaid. However, historic errors have seen the DWP fail to flag when carers have breached it. Now, new figures analysed by Carers UK and shared with The Guardian reveal at least £357million in Carer's Allowance benefit has been overpaid in error in the last six years. Emily Holzhausen, director of policy and public affairs at Carers UK, told the publication carer's "deserve better" and that the charity had asked the government to strike off debts of those who have been forced to pay back money after breaching the earnings limit. Tens of thousands on Carer's Allowance have unwittingly breached the earnings limit since 2019. The year before, new technology called the verify earnings and pensions tool (VEP) was introduced by the government designed to allow the DWP to check thousands of electronic alerts of potential earnings breaches by those on Carer's Allowance each month. However, the DWP decided to only investigate half of all VEP alerts, meaning some breaches went undetected for long periods. This led to carers unknowingly racking up huge overpayments and having to repay thousands and sometimes tens of thousands of pounds in overpaid benefits. One such case of someone having to pay back thousands of pounds was Vivienne Groom. Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence In 2023, she was prosecuted for failing to declare her minimum wage Co-op job while caring for her mum, and forced to pay back £16,000. Last month, ministers confirmed they will invest £800,000 to ensure 100% of VEP alerts are reviewed moving forward, meaning overpayments are flagged earlier. A DWP spokesperson told The Guardian: "The Carer's Allowance overpayment rate is the lowest on record. "And we are going further by increasing funding and bringing in more staff to check 100% of alerts to help prevent carers falling into debt. 'We are absolutely clear that we want to eliminate waste and ensure people get the money they are entitled to, so we can invest in our public services as part of our plan for change." What to do if you breach the earnings limit If you have ever breached the earnings limit, you should try and proactively report it to the DWP as it is classed as a change in circumstances. You can report any change in circumstances online via the Government's website. But you'll need your National Insurance (NI) number to hand, details of the person you're caring for and details of the change. If you have been overpaid Carer's Allowance, you will have to pay it back in full or instalments via the DWP Debt Management platform. This is also on the Government's website. If you don't do this, the DWP can take deductions from your work salary, or even pass your case on to a debt collector. If you don't engage with the debt collector, it may then take your case to the county courts. You can dispute an overpayment if you don't agree with it, but you'll need evidence as to why you claim to not have overpaid. You can do this via what's known as a "mandatory reconsideration", which you can submit to the DWP online, via phone or by letter. The specific contact details you'll need to send any correspondence to will be on the decision letter you receive from the DWP. Once the DWP has received your mandatory reconsideration, you will receive a "mandatory reconsideration notice" informing you whether it has changed its decision. If you disagree with that outcome, you can appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal. A judge will listen to both sides of the argument before making a decision. Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data. You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for. .
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Over 150,000 will see benefit payments cut under major PIP changes, DWP confirms – are you affected?
OVER 150,000 on benefits will see their payments cut under Personal Independence Payments (PIP) changes, the DWP has confirmed. The Government is shaking up the way PIP is assessed meaning hundreds of thousands will miss out from November 2026. It comes as ministers look to cut the increasing welfare bill by clawing back billions of pounds of benefits. But the changes will also have a knock-on effect on carers who qualify for benefits because they look after someone on PIP. From late next year, new and existing PIP claimants being reassessed will have to score a minimum of four points in at least one activity to receive the Daily Living Component. The higher rate of the Daily Living Component is currently worth £110.40 a week. Claimants will also have to score at least eight points when being assessed. The Government estimates this means by 2029/30 around 800,000 won't receive the Daily Living Component of PIP. But it has also confirmed 150,000 will be missing out on Carer's Allowance or the Universal Credit Carer's Element by 2029/30 too. This is because to receive either of these carer's benefits you have to be caring for someone who receives the Daily Living part of PIP. It means new and existing PIP claimants finding they are no longer eligible will disqualify their carer's from next November when the changes kick in. What are Carer's Allowance and the carer's element of Universal Credit? Carer's Allowance is paid to those caring for someone else (who is on benefits) for at least 35 hours a week and is worth £83.30 a week. Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence You don't have to be related to the person you care for, or live with them, to qualify. If you are on Carer's Allowance you also receive National Insurance credits which contribute to your NI record. What classes as someone needing "care" is based on them qualifying for a number of benefits. These are: Personal Independence Payment - Daily Living Component Disability Living Allowance - the middle or highest care rate Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance - the middle or highest care rate Attendance Allowance Pension Age Disability Payment Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Constant Attendance Allowance at the basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension Armed Forces Independence Payment Child Disability Payment - the middle or highest care rate Adult Disability Payment - daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate The person you are caring for must also need help with certain tasks including: washing and cooking, being taken to the doctors and household tasks like managing bills or going food shopping. Carer's Allowance is issued to those living in England, Wales or Scotland aged 16 or over. It's worth noting, receiving Carer's Allowance can impact the benefits the person you are caring for gets. For example, they will usually stop receiving a severe disability premium or an extra amount for severe disability premium if they are on Pension Credit. You can apply for Carer's Allowance and find out more about the exact eligibility criteria via The carer's element of Universal Credit is added to your Universal Credit standard allowance if you care for someone and they receive a number of qualifying benefits. These are: Adult Disability Payment – standard or enhanced award Armed Forces Independence Payment Attendance Allowance Child Disability Payment – middle or highest care award Constant Attendance Allowance - full day rate, intermediate rate or exceptional rate with Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Constant Attendance Allowance - full day rate with a War Disablement Pension Disability Living Allowance – middle or highest care rate Personal Independence Payment – either rate of the Daily Living Part To get the carer's element you'll also need to be providing 35 hours a week of care to the person receiving the qualifying benefit. You get an extra monthly amount worth £201.68. If you are receiving an extra amount because you have a limited capability for work and work related activity (LCWRA), you won't qualify for the extra carer's element part. Meanwhile, if the person you care for gets the severe disability premium, it will stop when you claim the carer's element of Universal Credit. Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data. You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for. .
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
One early warning sign in your body could be an indicator of type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body doesn't produce enough insulin or the body's cells don't properly react to insulin, resulting in high blood sugar levels. This excess glucose can harm blood vessels, raising the risk of artery damage and strokes. One early sign of type 2 diabetes is if cuts or wounds take longer than usual to heal. According to "High levels of blood glucose [sugar] caused by diabetes can, over time, affect the nerves (neuropathy) and lead to poor blood circulation, making it hard for blood - needed for skin repair - to reach areas of the body affected by sores or wounds." This can result in wounds staying open and not healing as they should, increasing the chance of additional complications. Of particular concern are slow-healing foot wounds in diabetic individuals, which could lead to a higher risk of amputation if not treated correctly, as reported by Surrey Live. READ MORE: DWP confirms 150,000 claimants will see cuts in Carer's Allowance and Universal Credit READ MORE: Weekend warning as two key Stoke-on-Trent roads to shut The NHS lists symptoms of type 2 diabetes and advises those with the condition to check their feet every day and report any damage to their healthcare provider. Managing blood sugar levels is vital in reducing the risk of slow-healing injuries and staving off type 2 diabetes. Essential to maintaining a balanced glucose level is an appropriate diet, notes Harvard Health, recommending a blend of fruits, veggies, whole grains, pulses, and low-fat dairy options, reports Surrey Live. Harvard Health has noted: "Vegetables, fruits, and whole grains provide more nutrition per calorie than refined carbohydrates and tend to be rich in fibre." It further states: "Your body digests high-fibre foods more slowly - which means a more moderate rise in blood sugar." While experts suggest moderating the intake of highly refined carbs like white bread and sugary snacks and drinks, Diabetes UK recognises that dietary needs can vary from person to person. Nevertheless, the charity encourages making wholesome choices routinely, indulging in treats sparingly and in small amounts. Additionally, it cautions against products marketed as 'diabetic' or 'suitable for diabetics', and advises reducing the consumption of red and processed meats as well as overly refined carbohydrates such as white bread.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Midland households issued £300 fuel payments from the DWP
The winter period is a costly time for many households across the country with energy bills going up. It generally costs more to use energy during winter. And people typically use more energy to keep warm during the colder months. READ MORE: State pensioners born before 1953 to miss out on £7,561 from next month Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp, click the link to join But it forces households to tighten their purse strings to be able to afford basic necessities. As a result, people might struggle more financially. However help is available from local authorities. Councils have been issued funding from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to support residents with the cost of living. Each local authority has come up with its own schemes to help households. Some have issued support in the form of cost of living payments. While others have made available fuel payments. Among those include Worcestershire County Council. Applicants can receive between £300 and £500 payments, depending on the make up of households. The council said: "Households with one adult or a couple of pensionable age can receive up to £300. "Households with adults only, aged between 18 and 66, can receive up to £300. "Households with children under the age of 18, or young adults up to the age of 21 in full time education, can receive up to £500." However in order to receive the benefits, applicants must meet the council's eligibility criteria. Applicants must: Have a household income of £31,000 or less a year, including non-means tested benefits Or, receive a means-tested benefit Have no household savings, although pensioners can have £5,000 in savings Receive one or more of these benefits: Attendance Allowance, Carers Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Health Allowance Engage with support services To see the full criteria list, including which support services are listed, visit the website of Act on Energy, which is managing the scheme on behalf of the council. Explaining how the payments are issued, the council said: "Depending on the billing method for your energy account, energy payments will either be made by direct bank transfer to your energy supplier for your energy account, via an online portal for your energy supplier to credit your energy account or via Post Office vouchers for pre-payment to-ups."
