Martin Lewis' MSE stark DWP warning after one woman's £20,000 horror story

Martin Lewis' MoneySavingExpert (MSE) has shone a light on one woman's harrowing experience that plunged her into almost £20,000 of debt. Heather Aylesbury, 56, had been caring for her mother across seven years, while working as a librarian and parenting two children.

Because her 91-year-old mother suffers from neuropathy - a condition that's triggered numbness in her legs - the family started claiming Carer's Allowance from 2012. This Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit currently sees people claim around £81.90 a week if they are carers for at least 35 hours every seven days.

But one day in 2019, Heather received some horrifying news. The DWP had overpaid this allowance by a staggering £19,543.95 - and she was being asked to pay it back.

"I was so devastated, I felt like a criminal," she told the experts. "I do understand that it was my responsibility to make sure I was under the limit. But it didn't cross my mind."

While Heather had received salary increases at her job each year, she hadn't realised it would make her ineligible for the benefit. Currently, the earnings limit stands at £151 income after tax and other deductions like National Insurance.

Now, the experts are urging everyone to make sure they completely understand the specific conditions of receiving benefits, which can start by triple checking payslips and making note of any pension contributions.

If you're even just 'a penny over the limit', MSE encourages its readers to let the DWP immediately. You can do this by ringing 0800 731 0297, posting a letter or heading to the Government's website, if you live in England, Scotland or Wales.

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Crucially, you must also report any circumstantial changes that may affect your Carer's Allowance. According to the Government, this includes the following situations:

• you change, start or leave your job
• you start earning more than £151 a week
• you stop being a carer
• you stop providing at least 35 hours of care a week
• you take a holiday or go into hospital - even if you arrange care while you’re away
• the person you care for goes into hospital, into a care home or takes a holiday

In light of experiences like Heather's, the DWP has now launched a review into Carer's Allowance payments to prevent this from happening again. A spokesperson told the experts: "We recognise the challenges carers are facing and we are determined to provide unpaid carers with the support they need and deserve."