The reassessment programme covers about 200,000 cases linked to unpaid carers who were given overpayments of the benefit. Charities say some people affected have already waited years for a resolution, with concerns that the current timetable could leave many waiting far longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The DWP is working through cases involving claimants who received carer\u2019s allowance payments incorrectly. The review aims to determine which people may be entitled to refunds or have their overpayment debts reduced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Carers UK, only 1.5% of the projected caseload had been processed at the time of its statement. The organisation said that, at the current rate, the reassessment exercise could take 27 years to complete<\/strong>, although the DWP has said it remains on track to finish the work within the three years previously announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Emily Holzhausen<\/a>, director of policy and public affairs at Carers UK, said the charity was concerned about the speed of progress. She called for a clear plan to increase the pace of the reassessment so carers affected by incorrect overpayments could receive a resolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many unpaid carers have faced uncertainty over whether their cases will be reviewed and when decisions will be made. Carers UK said some people waiting for refunds <\/a>or the removal of overpayment debts had already been waiting for several years, with some waiting for more than a decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The charity said that a lengthy reassessment process<\/strong> could add to the concerns faced by people who are unsure about their financial position. It said carers should not be left waiting years for an outcome linked to overpayments that were not caused by them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n