I was interested to see your story on 3 June about the person who spent more than four months trying to get their carer’s allowance restarted by the Department for Work and Pensions after a temporary job took them over the earnings threshold. I am a carer for my husband and in a very similar situation. Last year, when I resigned from my job because my husband’s condition had declined, my employer gave me a lump sum for holiday pay owing. This took me over the earnings limit. I declared it and my allowance was stopped for two months. However, eight months have passed since it was supposed to have restarted. DWP staff tell me my claim is valid and someone in the “back office” just needs to process it but I have had nothing since last October.
JW, Thorverton, Devon
The Guardian recently exposed the scandal of claimants being penalised for not realising that they have strayed a few pounds above the earnings threshold, but it seems that those who do the right thing also find themselves out of pocket.
Anyone who earns less than £151 a week and spends at least 35 hours a week looking after someone with a disability is entitled to a weekly allowance of £81.90. This is a crucial supplement for someone in your situation, and eight months without it, just as your employment income has ceased, has caused considerable stress.
The DWP declined to comment on the reason for the delay, or on alleged claim backlogs. It did, however, manage to muster the money you are owed within a week of my contact and says it has apologised. You have received a backdated payment of £2,983.15 but the apology seems to have got lost in transit.
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