Minister Pledges to Publish Long-Hidden Study on Carers' Fines Impact
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) conducted a study five years ago in response to criticism over the emotional and financial impact of fines and prosecutions on unpaid carers for exceeding the carer's allowance earnings limit.
The study has not been published despite calls from MPs.
Minister Mims Davies recently promised to release the study "shortly." The Guardian reports that unpaid carers have been facing financial hardship and stress due to unexpected fines and court proceedings for exceeding the earnings limit of Carer's Allowance, a disability benefit.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has allowed these overpayments to continue for months or even years.
However, Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey has stated that there are currently no plans to review the Carer's Allowance earnings rules, despite growing demands for reform.
Coffey acknowledged that those affected would not be feeling "that things are going right." A particularly disturbing case involved a 92-year-old woman with advanced Parkinson's who was ordered to repay nearly £7,000 after unintentionally breaching the rules.
Coffey apologized for this situation.
Last week, The Guardian reported that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) refused to forgive a woman's overpayment despite her unwell daughter's five-year-old attempt to inform them of a change in her mother's circumstances.
The DWP did not waive the overpayment, even though the woman was not able to do so herself due to her poor health.
Minister Mims Davies recently promised to release the study "shortly." The Guardian reports that unpaid carers have been facing financial hardship and stress due to unexpected fines and court proceedings for exceeding the earnings limit of Carer's Allowance, a disability benefit.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has allowed these overpayments to continue for months or even years.
However, Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey has stated that there are currently no plans to review the Carer's Allowance earnings rules, despite growing demands for reform.
Coffey acknowledged that those affected would not be feeling "that things are going right." A particularly disturbing case involved a 92-year-old woman with advanced Parkinson's who was ordered to repay nearly £7,000 after unintentionally breaching the rules.
Coffey apologized for this situation.
Last week, The Guardian reported that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) refused to forgive a woman's overpayment despite her unwell daughter's five-year-old attempt to inform them of a change in her mother's circumstances.
The DWP did not waive the overpayment, even though the woman was not able to do so herself due to her poor health.
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