Money-saving expert Martin Lewis has called on the Government to "end the Carer's Allowance cliff-edge" after shocking reports surfaced, revealing that individuals have been hit with hefty repayments for minor earnings breaches. Currently, carers can earn no more than £151 a week after deductions to qualify for Carer's Allowance. But if they exceed this limit by even a pound, they forfeit the entire benefit.
As of May 14 2024, the is chasing down over £250million in overpayments from nearly 135,000 claimants. Taking to X, formerly known as , Martin blasted: "End the Carers Allowance cliff-edge! Many reporting the scandal that those caring 35+hrs/wk oft for vulnerable loved ones must repay £1,000s just for slipping a quid or two over the max earnings threshold (currently £151/wk)." He continued his tirade: "Ending that clawback's important.
Yet the cliff-edge should end too. Almost all other benefits work by taper - ie earn over the limit and the benefit doesn't immediately stop, it gradually reduces. With carers allowance, a penny over and you get nowt.
This is simply stupid and should be stopped. Carers are a backbone of the UK, saving the state and NHS billions. The £82/wk allowance is pitifully low, at the very least we should end the cliff-hanger so work pays.
", reports . Supermarket worker Helen Grater was gobsmacked when she was slapped with a nearly £6,000 bill after picking up an extra shift at Sainsbury's while caring for her seriously ill partner. Meanwhile, f.
