The National Audit Office has published a report into Carer’s Allowance. The Work and Pensions Committee, in response to continuing concerns about the administration of this benefit, commissioned the report.
This report sets out:
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an overview of Carer’s Allowance, including data on the number of claimants and expenditure.
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information about Carer’s Allowance overpayments, including data on the amounts involved and on how DWP seeks to prevent and identify overpayments.
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information about DWP’s handling of Carer’s Allowance overpayments, including data on debt, prosecutions and penalties.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall MP announced a review into the overpayments of Carers Allowance in October 2024. The review will determine how and why overpayments occurred, implement operational changes to minimise future overpayment risk, and identify how the DWP can best support those with overpayments.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) published the scope of the review on Monday. It will explore:
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How overpayments of Carer’s Allowance linked to earnings accrued and why this has happened.
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What changes can be made to reduce the risk of such overpayments accruing in future.
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What DWP can best do to support those who have already accrued overpayments.
The review will deliver its findings and recommendations to ministers by summer 2025.
