London, UK – Rose Chitseko’s mother, a 92-year-old woman battling advanced Parkinson’s and dementia, is facing a harsh financial penalty from the Department for Work and Pensions. Despite a lifetime of careful financial management, she now finds herself repaying over £7,000 to the DWP due to a failure to report a change in circumstances five years ago.
In early 2019, Chitseko began receiving a carer’s allowance to look after her mother, prompting a requirement to notify the DWP of a change in eligibility. However, due to her illness, Chitseko’s mother was unable to do so, resulting in the significant overpayment that the DWP is now seeking to recover.
Despite efforts to appeal the penalty and seek leniency from the government, the DWP has only slightly reduced the amount owed, leaving Chitseko and her mother to navigate a difficult financial situation. The case highlights the challenges faced by families with unpaid carers and the complexities of the UK welfare system.
Chitseko’s mother, a former laboratory technician, is now using her life savings and pension to repay the debt, adding strain to an already challenging situation. The DWP’s approach to recouping overpayments has drawn criticism for its lack of consideration for vulnerable individuals like Chitseko’s mother.
The DWP’s insistence on pursuing repayment from an elderly woman with dementia raises questions about the fairness and compassion of the welfare system. With growing scrutiny on cases like Chitseko’s, there is a call for greater understanding and flexibility in how such situations are handled by government agencies.
Following media attention on the case, the DWP has announced a review of Chitseko’s situation and suspended further repayments. However, the broader issue of supporting vulnerable individuals and their carers remains a pressing concern in the UK’s welfare landscape, sparking calls for reform and improved support mechanisms.