The publication of the Independent Review of Carer’s Allowance overpayments, led by Liz Sayce OBE, marks a landmark moment for unpaid carers across England and Wales. For too long, carers have been burdened by overpayment debts caused by unclear guidance and systemic failures within the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The final report, alongside the Government’s response, signals a long-overdue commitment to put right these wrongs.
Thank you to carers of West Sussex
We want to thank every carer that took the time to share their experiences of Carer’s Allowance and the impact overpayments had on their lives. It was clear from your feedback that the system is complex, confusing and unfit for purpose. The impacts of overpayments were significant, the penalisation harsh and the fault lay with the system.
We are pleased that the Government has acknowledged the failings of the Carers Allowance system and is seeking to redress some of the damage caused and establish improvements to prevent further harm.
Published this week, the Independent Review of Carer’s Allowance overpayments, led by Liz Sayce OBE, acknowledges the significant system failures of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the unjust impact on carers.
In response, the Government has committed to:
- Reassess the overpayments of 185,000 unpaid carers and reduce, cancel or refund Carer’s Allowance overpayment debts where appropriate.
- Improve guidance and communication to make the rules easier to understand
- Exploring how to deliver a fairer, more modern system for carers like an earnings taper and improving how benefits work together.
Carers do not have to do anything at this point. More information is expected to come out early in 2026.
How We Amplified Carers Voice Together
At Carers Support West Sussex, we knew that carers’ voices needed to be heard in this review. Over the past year, we took several steps to ensure that local carers were represented:
- Informing carers: Through our newsletter, we encouraged carers to directly engage with the Liz Sayce Review.
- Representation: We joined a dedicated workshop with Liz Sayce, led by Carers Trust, to represent carers in West Sussex.
- Gathering evidence: We ran a survey that generated 160 responses, compiling carers’ experiences, feedback, and quotes into a written submission to the Review.
- Political advocacy: We wrote to all MPs, urging them to press the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall, to suspend overpayment demands immediately.
- Collective campaigning: We co-signed a letter with Carers UK and 105 other organisations, calling for urgent action and a halt to new overpayment debts until the Review’s recommendations were implemented.
These actions ensured that the lived experiences of carers in West Sussex were part of the national evidence base that shaped the Review’s findings and how change is possible.
Looking Ahead
The Government’s commitments are a step toward rebuilding carers’ trust in the system. But this is only the beginning. Our national partners Carers UK and Carers Trust will continue to monitor implementation closely, and at Carers Support West Sussex, we will keep ensuring that local carers are informed, supported, and represented.
We hope this moment signals the start of longer-term reforms to Carer’s Allowance—so that it better supports unpaid carers who balance paid work alongside their caring responsibilities.
Caroline Pope, CEO of Carers Support West Sussex, said:
“This review ends a period of uncertainty and distress for thousands of unpaid carers. By acknowledging past failings and committing to fairer, clearer rules, it marks a turning point—one that should ensure no carer ever again faces the hardship and anxiety caused by overpayments.”
