At the beginning of March, I received a call from a compliance officer at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). They informed me that I had been mistakenly paid carer’s allowance for 27 weeks, resulting in an owed amount of nearly £2,000. The sum was significant, but rather than panic, I remained resigned since I believed there was no action I could take.
Although I no longer qualify for carer’s allowance, the amount continues to be deducted from my monthly universal credit payments. When I questioned this matter, I was met with confusion. The phone representative stated that while I may not owe them the money directly, I am required to submit a claim to universal credit and then repay it to the DWP.
Deciding to address the issue, I contacted both the carer’s allowance helpline and the universal credit hotline for an explanation. They informed me that due to the allowance being suspended instead of stopped, no action could be taken until a decision was made on my case.
To resolve the situation, a reassessment is necessary, dating back to August of the previous year when I began my part-time position at the food bank. Oddly enough, I had informed all relevant parties about my employment at that time.
Navigating through the system requires a level of intellect and capability that exceeds the ordinary. It’s daunting to imagine individuals who may not have English as their first language or possess limited literacy skills attempting to handle such complexities. Unfortunately, we witness this struggle frequently at the food bank.
Remaining truthful about my circumstances with universal credit has always been of utmost importance to me, as I vehemently strive to avoid any trouble. Besides the carer’s allowance predicament, I recently earned extra income that surpassed my initial report to universal credit. When I promptly contacted them regarding this, the representative requested a unique taxpayer reference (UTR). Unaware of this requirement, she instructed me to contact HMRC and provided a phone number.
After enduring a half-hour hold, I connected with an HMRC representative who directed me to the incorrect department. Although she attempted to assist me, she ultimately referred me to the website, which proved challenging to comprehend. It shouldn’t be necessary to consult a dictionary to navigate through the site. Eventually, I discovered the web chat option, where I was informed that earnings under £1,000 within the financial year do not need to be reported.
In response, I sent a letter to universal credit, informing them of my unsuccessful attempt to declare the additional earnings following my interaction with HMRC. Their reply indicated that they were awaiting a response from the “technical department.” This ordeal consumed four hours of my time after work, leaving me even more perplexed. Consequently, I have temporarily abandoned the matter, although I firmly believe that I do not owe them any money. Nevertheless, the idea of being burdened with debt is disconcerting. I’m left wondering why these government departments cannot communicate with one another. The frustration is almost comical.
Fortunately, I would feel far worse if I felt trapped in this circumstance. As it happens, I am about to embark on a full-time position at the food bank, and I am overjoyed. After volunteering there for several years and securing a part-time role last year, this will be my first full-time job. Due to becoming a single parent to two children with autism at a young age, my ability to work has been limited. Now, as I approach my mid-40s, I sense that I am finally finding my footing. Despite the eligibility for some universal credit according to a benefits calculator, I have chosen not to claim it. While I am grateful for the assistance, I eagerly anticipate severing all ties with the system.
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