Over payment after person I care for going on holiday.

gym

Hi everyone. I was a carer for my elderly neighbour from June 2024-jan 2025.as you can see I was not a carer for long so I really Don't know about benefits and things because I have always worked. Thing is my neighbour went on holiday in Dec 2024.I said to the gentleman do we have to notify dwp about this. He said no its OK I'm allowed out of the country for up to 1 month so I left it at that.the dwp now knows he was away so there has been a over payment of carers allowance for the month of Dec 2024.does anyone know what will happen now as I said I'm new to the carer role.im a bit anxious about this. Can anyone give me any advice please. Thanks

Albus_Scope

Hey @gym I hope you're doing ok today.😊
Yes you're allowed to leave the country for up to a month, but they do ask to be told whenever you leave the country, no matter the length of of the break. But because you did not go away with him, as his carer you'd not technically have been caring for anyone for 35 hours per week. So it would be best to speak to the DWP about this. If they say there's an overpayment, they'll usually deduct a percentage per week until it's all paid back.

gym

Oh OK.I don't mind paying back the money. I was really worried that I might get in to trouble. My anxiety is threw the roof at the moment. I can hardly sleep

Albus_Scope

Please try not to worry too much about it, they may tell you off a little bit, but you wont be facing prison or anything nasty. 😉

gym

Thanks albus much appreciated. I worry a real lot.I phoned carers allowance yesterday and informed them about the holiday because its been playing on my mind for months. I don't like anything like this. It makes me ill

Albus_Scope

I totally understand @gym I'm a huge worrier, so I do empathise. It'll be ok though. 😊