Carer’s Allowance overpayment scandal
The Carer’s Allowance overpayment scandal has resulted in some vulnerable households being left in thousands of pounds worth of debt.
Date posted 5 December 2025
An independent review has found that Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) staff were using incorrect guidance when assessing averaging earnings and overpayments. Carers who have been ordered to repay Carer’s Allowance will have their cases reassessed and DWP will reimburse those who were wrongly fined. The advice is that carers should not contact DWP. DWP will be in touch with carers once the reassessment process is up and running.
