A new record in Carer's Allowance payment delay?

OJ_Man
OJ_Man Online Community Member Posts: 13 Listener
edited January 2023 in Benefits and income
I think I'm approaching a UK record in unpaid carers allowance payments, and it's NOT a new claim. My claim and payments for 3 months were totally fine.  Until I was asked for 6 months self employment figures.

My Carer's Allowance payments stopped on the 3rd of October 2022 and my 6 month earnings were requested on the 14th. As of today, I've still received nothing on the 30th of January 2023. £1,256 unpaid. 4 Months. 18 weeks. 1/3 of a year.
Due to postal strikes I had to wait and send back by recorded delivery, which they received on the 28th of October. 10 weeks go by with no money or decision. I phoned them many times, and I'm told to wait. Then 12 weeks. By now I'm at £836 in arrears owed. Money I urgently need. Christmas comes and goes. We now arrive on Monday the 16th of January 2023, 16 weeks since my last payment. £1,115 unpaid.
I complain by phone on the 16th of Jan, I think I've made a breakthrough. The nice lady on the phone is shocked I have had no money since the 3rd of October 2022. She tells me someone will be in contact by phone in 72 hours. 1 week goes by. 2 weeks go by. still no contact of any kind.
It's now the 30th of January 2023. 18 weeks with no payment, not even £69.70 today. No decision letter. No phone contact. Empty promises.

A new grand total of £1,256 is now unpaid. 4 months. One Third of a year.
It's not as if there's a cost of living crisis or anything, DWP.
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Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    There's very long backlogs with carers allowance. There's another member here who's been waiting 18 weeks so you're not alone with this.

    You can contact your local MP, if you haven't already and they may help you. https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/contact-your-mp/

    Are you claiming any other benefits?

  • ShirleyW
    ShirleyW Online Community Member Posts: 353 Empowering
    When I was claiming Carer's Allowance I was also self-employed.
    They only used to ask for my self employed earnings annually but the payments never stopped while they checked them.
  • OJ_Man
    OJ_Man Online Community Member Posts: 13 Listener
    poppy123456 said:
    There's very long backlogs with carers allowance. There's another member here who's been waiting 18 weeks so you're not alone with this.

    You can contact your local MP, if you haven't already and they may help you. https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/contact-your-mp/

    Are you claiming any other benefits?

    Hi poppy thanks for the reply.

    Yes new claims I've seen are backlogged 12-15 weeks. But it's not a new claim. My original claim was fairly quick until they stopped payment with no warning. 2 weeks later I had the 6 months earnings request and the saga began.

    I escalated it 2 weeks ago and phoned them back today. They say it's with a decision maker and I will get an urgent call back.

    It seems like things are finally moving now. I claim no other benefits. If it was a brand new claim I'd be less frustrated. 

  • OJ_Man
    OJ_Man Online Community Member Posts: 13 Listener
    ShirleyW said:
    When I was claiming Carer's Allowance I was also self-employed.
    They only used to ask for my self employed earnings annually but the payments never stopped while they checked them.
    Hi Shirley thanks.

    I think it's because I switched self employment slightly last April (this was my major mistake I should never have said this as it makes no difference to me or HMRC)

    When you do this they view it as a new job and want you to report the "First year" earnings every 3 and 6 months. Despite the fact I gave them 5 years previous earnings as self employed in a different capacity.

    Even HMRC ask me less questions! As long as I pay the right tax they don't care about the job title.
  • ShirleyW
    ShirleyW Online Community Member Posts: 353 Empowering
    @OJ_Man that would probably explain it then but it's not really acceptable that you have had to wait so long for payments to start again.
  • Hannah_Alumni
    Hannah_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,866 Championing
    Hello @OJ_Man

    Just to let you know, I popped your post in our Benefits and Financial Support section of the forum, just in case you had anymore queries :) 
  • OJ_Man
    OJ_Man Online Community Member Posts: 13 Listener
    Hannah_Scope said:
    Hello @OJ_Man

    Just to let you know, I popped your post in our Benefits and Financial Support section of the forum, just in case you had anymore queries :) 

    Thanks! Yes I realised I posted in the wrong section. Haha  :s
  • OJ_Man
    OJ_Man Online Community Member Posts: 13 Listener
    edited January 2023
    ShirleyW said:
    @OJ_Man that would probably explain it then but it's not really acceptable that you have had to wait so long for payments to start again.

    Exactly! You didn't even have payments stopped! It wasn't a new claim so I was expecting 5 weeks max (which is what the paperwork said).

    I was shocked how long it would take. And with no payments in the mean time for 4 months. Each Milestone I thought I'd have it by, passed and went. The World Cup, Christmas, New Years etc etc constantly being told to wait despite giving them the simple figures months ago.

    I dread to think what I would have done if I had no family help financially (which I owe back). I would have had to sacrifice my caring time to a large extent.
  • Hannah_Alumni
    Hannah_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,866 Championing
    It's ok! :) Sometimes posts can belong in more than one section! :D
  • RetroRemix
    RetroRemix Online Community Member Posts: 165 Empowering
    edited January 2023
    I really hope you manage to get your problem sorted out! :c

    I have been waiting since June of 2022 for them to close my file when my dad passed away. Since then they have not closed it, despite me giving them the dates he was in hospital, and all payments stopping right after I told them in June, and as a result a new claim for me caring for my Mum cannot go through (I was a carer for both my parents, but Dad had more serious health problems).

    last week when I phoned, the DWP person on the phone said she put a note on my account to request for it to be closed and she asked me to check back with them this week. If it still isn't closed by the end of this week I'll be getting in touch with my MP.

    I know there have been massive backlogs, but some things we are waiting on are so simple that it shouldn't have to take this long for them to get sorted out. It's ridiculous. :/ 
  • OJ_Man
    OJ_Man Online Community Member Posts: 13 Listener
    edited January 2023
    RetroRemix said:
    I really hope you manage to get your problem sorted out! :c

    I have been waiting since June of 2022 for them to close my file when my dad passed away. Since then they have not closed it, despite me giving them the dates he was in hospital, and all payments stopping right after I told them in June, and as a result a new claim for me caring for my Mum cannot go through (I was a carer for both my parents, but Dad had more serious health problems).

    last week when I phoned, the DWP person on the phone said she put a note on my account to request for it to be closed and she asked me to check back with them this week. If it still isn't closed by the end of this week I'll be getting in touch with my MP.

    I know there have been massive backlogs, but some things we are waiting on are so simple that it shouldn't have to take this long for them to get sorted out. It's ridiculous. :/ 

    Hey Retro Remix!

    Yes I read your entire thread before posting! To see if there are any similarities or tips. Yes your case sounds horrific! Sorry about your Dad.
    I also had thoughts of Tribunals, Ombudsman, Contacting my MP etc the frustration is so bad you feel helpless! You feel like you're complaining to the people who are the ones not doing it.  :s

    Yes it's so frustrating when it's a simple fix, that takes 10 minutes to click on a computer screen. Why does it need to keep going back and forth with notes and delays? It's different if it's an in depth case that needs pages looked through.

    I understand the Backlogs but when you're already on the system it should be faster.  :|
  • RetroRemix
    RetroRemix Online Community Member Posts: 165 Empowering
    edited January 2023
    Thank you. :)

    I know right? It really shouldn't have taken this long for such a simple request. And I really don't like phoning them up because every time I do and they ask for his DOB and other personal details, I'm reminded of the last few weeks Dad was in hospital, and he wasn't exactly treated 100% right there.

    I shouldn't have to be dealing with these delays, and neither should other people who are being passed around from pillar to post after the passing away of a loved one, or disabled people waiting for their money to come through. It's sickening.

    I know they are busy and being stretched to breaking point, and there are many brilliant people at the DWP who go above and beyond to help... but I can't help but think that there may be some devious people who work there too, and these people love to mess us around for the fun of it, and these devious people also stop the many good people from helping us out.

    Because if getting our MP involved spurs them into action, what was stopping them before from doing these simple requests? It couldn't have been impossible to do if they manage to do it in the presence of an MP.
  • OJ_Man
    OJ_Man Online Community Member Posts: 13 Listener
    edited January 2023
    RetroRemix said:
    Thank you. 

    I know right? It really shouldn't have taken this long for such a simple request. And I really don't like phoning them up because every time I do and they ask for his DOB and other personal details, I'm reminded of the last few weeks dad was in hospital, and he wasn't exactly treated 100% right there. I shouldn't have to be dealing with these delays, and neither should other people who are being passed around from pillar to post after the passing away of a loved one. It's sickening.

    I know they are busy and being stretched to breaking point, and there are many brilliant people at the DWP who go above and beyond to help... but I can't help but think that there may be some devious people who work there too, and these people love to mess us around for the fun of it, and these devious people also stop the many good people from helping us out.

    Because if getting our MP involved spurs them into action, what was stopping them before from doing these simple requests? It couldn't have been impossible to do if they manage to do it in the presence of an MP.

    Yes! I can't imagine having to keep having to keep bringing up his details and being reminded of how he was treated.

    Yes, if you are not on the system, and they need to process you in the backlog, fair enough. But when you're already on the system, it should be much much faster.

    I don't see why they can't automate things more with an automated computer system that can work out from your figures and make decisions instantly instead. The Self Employed Income Support Scheme SEISS payments during covid worked great. They paid within a week straight to your bank after entering your earnings and tax details.

    Waiting for human decision makers in cases that don't need it is one of the problems. I think down the line with A.I etc this will happen.
  • RetroRemix
    RetroRemix Online Community Member Posts: 165 Empowering
    edited January 2023
    Yeah, I think they are working on making things more digital, but I think there have been a few cases of people being messed around with the automated decision and payment systems too, and in the end humans had to get involved to sort it out... so it doesn't seem 100% there just yet!

    I really hope that we both have our delays sorted out soon. It's just not right at all, and not just for us but for others who are disabled and are left waiting very long times for their payments. It's not right. 

    Some people say the messing about is sometimes their way of "trying to save money for the state" but, if that is the case, there are many other less cruel and crude ways of saving money they could use instead. :/

    Thanks for hearing me out, I hope it helps you to know you are not alone in this, and please keep us updated as to whatever happens next! :)
  • OJ_Man
    OJ_Man Online Community Member Posts: 13 Listener
    edited January 2023
    RetroRemix said:
    Yeah, I think they are working on making things more digital, but I think there have been a few cases of people being messed around with the automated decision and payment systems too, and in the end humans had to get involved to sort it out... so it doesn't seem 100% there just yet!

    I really hope that we both have our delays sorted out soon. It's just not right at all, and not just for us but for others who are disabled and are left waiting very long times for their payments. It's not right. 

    Some people say the messing about is sometimes their way of "trying to save money for the state" but, if that is the case, there are many other less cruel and crude ways of saving money they could use instead. :/

    Thanks for hearing me out, I hope it helps you to know you are not alone in this, and please keep us updated as to whatever happens next! :)

    Yes, I prefer speaking to humans when it's an in depth issue that isn't simple, we do need both!

    Apparently millions is unclaimed in Carers Allowance, Attendance Allowance etc and many other benefits though! So they are already saving a ton ha. But I wouldn't be surprised if backlogs help even out spending for the government!

    I hope you get your issue closed finally without an MP involvement! (Yes it shouldn't take an MP to make them act). And yes I will update as well when I get any money haha. Thanks! B)
  • OJ_Man
    OJ_Man Online Community Member Posts: 13 Listener
    edited February 2023
    Well, after a week since last Monday, of being promised a second faster emergency call back, Still nothing. They say my case is with a decision maker, still nothing. No call, no money.

    It would be great to receive the £1,320 Sunday tonight that I'm now missing, but I'm not holding my breath.

    I'm not sure what would make me more angry, receiving nothing, or receiving £69.70. I'm not stopping until I receive the 4 months I'm owed backdated. I'm never dropping this, even if I have to stand in front of a Judge. The principle of it is just shocking for carers. In a cost of living crisis.

    I am on the phone first thing Monday.
  • OJ_Man
    OJ_Man Online Community Member Posts: 13 Listener
    edited February 2023
    At last! :DB) After another follow up call on Thursday I finally got a call with a Team Manager on Friday. So finally I will receive back pay of £1,400.

    Although the rest of the claim still has to go to a decision maker, it should be fine. I will finally have the money I was owed since October the 3rd!

    The backdated payment should arrive early next week.

    Thanks to everyone who replied, hopefully Retro Remix gets yours fixed too!  B)
  • Hannah_Alumni
    Hannah_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,866 Championing
    Woohoo! That's great news. Fingers crossed for the rest of the claim with the Decision Maker 🤞
  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Scope Member Posts: 13,778 Championing
    Oh that's amazing news what are you going to spend your 1400 pound on? 
  • OJ_Man
    OJ_Man Online Community Member Posts: 13 Listener
    Hannah_Scope said:
    Woohoo! That's great news. Fingers crossed for the rest of the claim with the Decision Maker 🤞

    Thanks Hannah! Yes it should be fine! I'm within the limit  o:) wow it's a huge relief, it felt like waiting for a Bus with no timetable!

    Even the Manager admitted nobody had even looked at my claim for 4 months, hence the huge delay.

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