DWP told to launch 'review' after thousands told to repay benefits

James Rodger

24 April 2024 at 9:19 am·2-min read

The Department for Work and Pensions has been ordered to "review" Carer's Allowance after benefit claimants were told to repay their cash. The DWP has come under pressure from former Tory MPs as well as campaigners after the horror stories emerged.

Around 34,000 Carer's Allowance claimants received fines of up to £20,000 and had to repay their benefits for earning pennies over the working threshold. Former Tory Work and Pensions Secretary Ian Duncan Smith has urged the DWP to "pause" the overpayment claim process and "very carefully" review the issue.

He told the Guardian: "The best thing is for the DWP now to pause any of these demands, review carefully what was behind all of this to make sure this was not mistakes by DWP but is genuinely about individuals failing to notify the department."

Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said it was time for the Government to "redefine its relationship with unpaid carers and deliver a social contract that they can rely on". She said: "They do so much saving the state billions and yet feel they get very little in return in terms of recognition and support.

"The fact that Carer’s Allowance is worth only £81.90 per week for a minimum of 35 hours care and is the lowest benefit of its kind speaks volumes. It’s unacceptable that carers are reaching breaking point and don’t receive the support they desperately need. The next Government must do more to help families so that 600 people a day don’t have to give up work to care.

“We want political parties to set out their social contract with unpaid carers and commit to a funded, cross-government 10-year National Carers Strategy. We know that if unpaid carers were better supported it would benefit their lives - removing unnecessary pressure on their relationships, preventing poverty, improving their health and ensuring those who can, and want to, remain in work. We see investing in unpaid carers and care as a win:win, for families, society and the economy.”

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