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Progress on responding to the recommendations from the Independent Review into overpayments of Carer’s Allowance linked to earnings
13 April 2026
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Department for Work and Pensions
TAGS
At a Glance
Issue Summary
The statement provides an update on the government's response to recommendations from the Independent Review into overpayments of Carer’s Allowance linked to earnings.
Action Requested
The reassessment exercise for cases potentially affected by faulty guidance on averaging of irregularly fluctuating earnings will begin today, with a funding commitment of £75m allocated for the financial years 2026/27 to 2028/29. The Department expects to review over 200,000 cases and aims to open an online form for people to complete in late 2026.
Key Facts
- Government inherited a system causing unexpected debts due to overpayments of Carer’s Allowance.
- Independent Review accepted or partially accepted 38 out of 40 recommendations.
- Reassessment exercise will begin on 13 April 2026.
- £75m funding provided for the financial years 2026/27 to 2028/29.
- Over 200,000 cases will be reviewed; around 25,000 carers may have debts reduced or cancelled.
- Faulty guidance on averaging of irregularly fluctuating earnings was in place between April 2015 and September 2025.
- Reassessment exercise includes relevant Carer’s Allowance cases in Scotland as well.
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