Repayment of overpayment of carers allowance dating back to 2010.

Mule66

I’m looking for advice on a long-running DWP Carer’s Allowance overpayment and whether I have any realistic options to challenge the ongoing recovery.

I was overpaid Carer’s Allowance due to working slightly over the permitted hours (I did not realise at the time I had breached the limit and did not report the change).

I have been repaying £30 per month since 3 February 2010, so for over 16 years continuously without missing payments. The current balance is around £5,000.00 Based on what I’ve been told, the repayment will continue until around December 2036, meaning the total repayment period will be approximately 26 years.

I am now 60 years old, and I will be around 70 by the time the debt is cleared at the current rate. I have also been told over the phone that when I reach State Pension age (67), DWP may recover the remaining balance from my pension, possibly taking up to one third of it. I do not yet have this confirmed in writing. I do not have a private pension.

I currently work 24 hours per week and receive Personal Independence Payment (daily living component) due to health conditions including osteoarthritis in my wrist.

My questions are:

• Is it normal for DWP overpayments to be recovered over such a long period (25+ years)?
• Can I request a discretionary write-off or reduction given my age, health, and length of repayment?
• Is the “one third of pension” deduction accurate or likely to be standard practice?

Any guidance would be appreciated.

sammyjammy

yes they will take repayments as long as there is a debt to recover

Yes you can try, don't expect that to be successful though

No idea but I would expect it to continue at the current rate unless you query it.

If you increased your repayment it would be paid off sooner.

RAS

Given the major issues around repayment of carer's allowance, have you contacted Carers UK?

Your case seems to predate the reconsideration of cases after 2015, but it wouldn't harm to ask.