Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Carer’s Allowance Overpayments

Monday 7 October 2024 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The work of unpaid carers is vital and the government is determined to support them.
  • A text message alert service is being piloted with 3500 claimants to inform them of potential overpayments.
  • The Government will respond to the former Work and Pensions Committee's recommendations on earnings rules once the new Committee is in place.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Anna Dixon Lab Shipley
Benefits & Welfare
Context

There are nearly 1,200 recipients of Carers' Allowance in Shipley. Recipients face the risk of overpayment due to breaches of the qualifying rules and a disincentive for working.

Question

What steps is she taking to tackle carer's allowance overpayments?

Answer from Stephen Timms

The work of unpaid carers is vital and often heroic, and we are determined to give them the support that they need. We are currently looking at options for tackling the problem of overpayments, including the possible introduction of a text message alert service.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to specific measures beyond considering options and an alert system without a clear timeline or details on implementation.

How: Looking At Options

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Q2 Alison Hume Lab Scarborough and Whitby
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Carers often face deep debt due to repaying overpaid allowances after unintentionally breaching the qualifying rules. There is a need for societal support in addressing this issue.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that we, as a society, have a duty of care to carers and can he say more about the progress made on tackling carer's allowance overpayments?

Answer from Stephen Timms

My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and I agree that we need to support carers properly. We want to get to the bottom of what has gone wrong with these overpayments and why so many people have been caught out. We have piloted a text message service involving 3,500 claimants, which will inform them when HMRC informs DWP of breaches in the earnings limit. This is currently under review.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to raising the earnings limit or addressing the earnings cliff edge beyond piloting a text message service.

How: Looking At Results

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Q3 Anna Dixon Lab Shipley
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

Nearly 1,200 recipients of Carers' Allowance in Shipley face the risk of overpayment and discouragement from working due to the earnings limit.

Question

Will the Government consider raising the earnings limit to prevent accidental overpayments and encourage employment among carers?

Answer from Stephen Timms

My hon. Friend has written to me about this matter, and I welcome her commitment to making progress. The former Work and Pensions Committee made several recommendations on the earnings rules, and we will respond once the new Committee is in place.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to reviewing or raising the earnings limit beyond noting previous committee recommendations.

How: New Committee

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Q4 Robin Swann Ulster Unionist Party South Antrim
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Unpaid carers are hesitant to apply for Carer's Allowance due to concerns about financial implications from overpayments.

Question

Can the Government reassure those who have not yet come forward that they will be supported properly?

Answer from Stephen Timms

I very much hope we can provide such support. There is considerable anxiety about these overpayment issues, and an alert service will inform people when they encounter problems to prevent large overpayments in the future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to providing specific reassurances or concrete actions beyond hoping for positive developments with the text message service.

How: Hopeful Statements

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