carrers allowance overpament from 2002 demand

OLDMAN_2

My wife has just received a demand for an overpayment of Carers Allowance for £3691.60 for years 2002 - 2004.The letter states they have superseded the decision of a previous Decision Maker but this is the first letter we have received about this. Do they have the right to claim this far back without any previous notification.:shocked::question:

rogerblack

A supersession carries a fresh right of appeal.
Yes, they can claim this far back - the debt is only due from when the supersession is made, so the time limit on the debt starts from then.

What is the alleged ground of the supersession?
That she wasn't entitled to it due to earnings?

It will be important to know what data the DM was working on.
A very good ground to challenge this decision on would be if the DM is working on less information than was available to the original DM - as it has been disposed of.
It is almost certain most documentation from 2002 will have been destroyed.

If there is a simple and valid reason why she was not entitled - that is well-evidenced and was not picked up at at the time - then yes, this is a valid decision, and though it can be appealed - it is unlikely to be successful.