Carer

gym

Hi all. I have been a carer for my elderly neighbour since June 2024.the person I was caring for started getting deductions from his benefits and he was not happy with this so I cancelled carers in Jan 2025.he has been in touch with dwp wanting the money back, they told him he couldn't have the money back. So he has told dwp that I claimed carers allowance without his knowledge. I am so worried now because I don't want to be accused of benefit fraud. He did this because he has fallen out with me.what can I do I am so worried. My anxiety is threw the roof.can anyone help or advise me please

Space1999

hi, gym - please don’t take my reply as gospel but based on my experience I think you will be ok - let me explain.

Back in 2021, when my wife applied to be a carer for my elderly mother she obviously sent the application form to the dwp re applying for carers allowance.

My Mum then received a letter from the dwp saying that my wife had applied to be carer which directly named her and the additional care she was requiring. My mum then basically had to confirm that this was indeed correct and that the carers allowance was relating to her care and was therefore appropriate.

Assuming this procedure was still in place in 2024 (and I would be surprised if it wasn’t) then I would think it may be difficult for the person you were caring for to suggest that he did not know about your application.

Obviously you can’t prove that the gentleman received the letter but assuming the dwp needed his reply / authority prior to you receiving the award it suggests he must of agreed by responding. Personally I would wait to see if you hear anything and try not to worry.

Like I say this is only my experience of the system but hope this helps.

kind regards.

gym

Thankyou space 1999.I was also thinking he must have agreed to me being his carer or signed some sort of letter.your explanation is much appreciated. Surely carers allowance will have some sort of record for this.I just can't stop thinking about it, as all I did was care for someone that asked me to be his carer.I really worry alot.its really overwhelming.

Space1999

Totally understand but if I was you I would honestly wait and see. If challenged by the dwp you can state you claimed with his agreement (June 24) and once he had made his objections known you cancelled in Jan 25. I would imagine your cancellation will tie in (date wise) with his demanding money back from the dwp which indicates that he must of been in contact with you and as a result you cancelled as soon as his objections were made clear to you. As I said previously they should have some documentation to back up your position and bear in mind you cancelled without being challenged by the dwp first. I doubt many fraudsters do that 😉

All the best.