Unpaid carer says DWP’s fraud prosecution threat was ‘like blackmail’

Clemency Jacques told to pay extra 1,300 for accidental carer's allowance breach or have case sent to CPS

A vulnerable unpaid carer threatened by benefits officials with prosecution for fraud unless she agreed to pay a 1,300 penalty for an accidental breach of carer's allowance earnings rules has described her experience as like blackmail".

Clemency Jacques, a carer for her disabled son, was told by Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) investigators her case would be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) unless she paid a 50% charge on top of an existing agreement to repay 2,600 in carer's allowance overpayments - a total of 3,900.