Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March to Question 156242 on Carer's Allowance: Overpayments, what information her Department holds on the starting date and durations of the overpayments of Carer’s Allowance first identified in (a) 2018-19, (b) 2019-20 and (c) 2020-21.

The Government recognises and appreciates the vital role unpaid carers play in supporting loved ones who are ill, frail or disabled.

The Carer’s Allowance debts referred to Debt Management in each of the last 3 years, reflect individual overpayments; the starting dates and durations will therefore vary accordingly.

However, the average lengths of the recoverable Carer’s Allowance overpayments referred to Debt Management in each of the requested years was as follows:

I can also confirm that the median start dates for those overpayments were:

These overpayments have arisen in the main because changes have not been reported on time. DWP takes every care to explain a claimant’s responsibilities when they apply for Carer’s Allowance; this includes the need to report changes on time. The Department has improved Carer’s Allowance communications to make this even clearer.

New technology and additional staffing have now made it easier to identify and prevent overpayments.

Notes:

• The Department has a duty to recover overpaid benefits as quickly and efficiently as possible.

• Overpayment recovery is subject to various legislative limitations and safeguards so customers do not experience financial hardship.

• There are rules covering the amount of money we can take from a person’s benefit and customers are informed in advance before benefit deductions start.

• Where a person claims they cannot afford the proposed rate of recovery, they are asked to provide details of their income and expenditure. When this information is provided, their financial circumstances can be taken into account and a reduction in their rate of repayment may be agreed. In these circumstances, the situation would be reviewed at regular periods. In exceptional circumstances, a temporary suspension of recovery may be agreed.