Carers allowance mistake HELP!

lozzypop21

Hi, I called Carers allowance yesterday to notify them I had started work. I made a mistake as I was looking at paperwork and told them i started on 7th December when I started on 7th September.I went about my day and then started second guessing the date I had given and called back this morning after a totally sleepless night to be told that I had given the wrong date but the system had picked it up anyway and I would be written to in order to arrange paying back the monies paid from September till now.

This is fine and I realise it is totally my fault for not letting them know sooner however I am now panicking because I gave the wrong date initially! I've had a totally sleepless night with all sorts going through my head about being charged with fraud and going to court and losing my job that I have worked so hard to get!

Does anyone know what will happen?

Poppie68

That's a big difference, and how on earth could you not know you started work over 4 months ago and not just over a month ago?
You need to call them back and tell them.... you will have an overpayment which will need paying back.

lozzypop21

No I did know I started work in September. When I phoned I was looking at paperwork that said 7th December on it and I gave this date by mistake. I have called back this morning already and told them this error and I am just now worried that I have made this mistake! I know there will be an overpayment and I have already phoned to arrange to make the payment

Mojisola

lozzypop21 wrote: »

I would be written to in order to arrange paying back the monies paid from September till now.

Does anyone know what will happen?

What they have told you.

lozzypop21

Just that mistakes happen and they will write to me with how much I need to repay

Diary

You definitely won't be going to court and will not lose your job because of your mistake with the carers allowance. Definitely, so stop worrying.

Mojisola

lozzypop21 wrote: »

Just that mistakes happen and they will write to me with how much I need to repay

And that's what will happen.

lozzypop21

Thank you Diary.

It was such a stupid mistake because I wasnt concentrating and had paperwork in front of me re a hospital appointment to chase up with that date on.

She was nice on the phone this morning and said things like this happen but I cannot stop worrying about it now.

When I google it comesup with people being called to interviews under caution for similar things!

Anchoress

Stop worrying, you promptly phoned them back to admit your error and you were a few months late in reporting that you were back in work. I think they can fine you for late reporting but as far as I can see that's the worst that will happen.

Sounds like a very minor oversight to me compared to what some people try and get away with. This isn't major fraud fraud or anything so STOP WORRYING.

mich13x

Aren't you allowed to earn £100 a week or so and claim carers allowance?

Poppie68

mich13x wrote: »

Aren't you allowed to earn £100 a week or so and claim carers allowance?

It's £110 per week after deductions, if take home pay is above that then CA is stopped in its entirety.