Hi All, my situation is that I have been self employed for many years, working from home on a part time basis whilst acting as a carer from y wife. In 2005 I attempted to claim carers Allowance but at the time my taxable earnings were marginally too great to receive the benefit. I waited and applied again the following year, and was successful this time. Since 2007, all I have ever received, was a letter telling me I would continue to receive benefit and if my circumstances had changed, to inform them. My earnings stayed fairy constant, being around the limit. I contacted the carers team in April this year to tell them that my earnings for last year (next years benefit) will have exceeded the allowed limit. The chap I spoke to quite rightly suspended my payments there and then. I then received a pack asking me for accounts covering the previous 6 years. I rang into ask why and was told a variety of non plausible reasons. Eventually I was passed to a lady in a different department who introduced herself s the case manager and person responsible for making decisions affecting me. She explained that in actual fact, the department had not requested any financial information from me since my original application and therefore they would not be seeking to recover any money should there have been an overpayment. I was still asked to send in 6 years of figures that I did. On Friday gone, without any further correspondence, I received a demand from the Debt recovery arm for £17000! I have spoken to the Carers Team and written to lodge an appeal. I have always been honest as I am that sort of person. My view is that at any point had they asked me for any financial information I would have supplied it, and that would have nipped this continued overpayment system in the bud. I just wonder if there is any practical advice that others may offer. I am quite prepared to request copies of telephone conversations etc under the freedom of Information Act and will use my MP as well, if needs be. But, others might have experienced this before and have some information to share cheers David