Deduction from my JSA for overpayment 20 yrs ago!

Tunni_2

This morning I recieved a letter saying I owe £2,020.68 and £12.00 per week will be deducted from my Job Seekers Allowance. They say the debt is due to fraud from march 1989 to Agust 1990, when they say I was in Full time employment whilst claiming.

I vaguely recall going to an interview all those years ago conducted by the DSS fraud dept. I had nothing to hide and was never charged with any wrongdoing. I was asked about my service in the The Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve.

The TA as most will know is Britains part time volunteer force which is in no way a full time job. - 1 evening per week, 6 weekends training per year plus a 14 day camp. I served for almost a total of 12 years, volunteering my spare time in the service of my country. Whatever renumeration we got was spent on clothing and equipment to supplement that supplied from the stores, which was often basic and barely adequate. Even now twenty years on military kit is still inadequate and often in the news because it's costing lives!

Anyway I'm not here to discuss MOD stores, just need advice on what if anything I can do about my situation. I have requested details of the case which may take a few weeks.

Tunni

zappster1966

If the DWP have any actual evidence going that far back ... claim forms, payslips, employer statements, fraud files ... I'll eat my hat. The vast majority of paperwork is simply destroyed after 18 months. The JSA office have overpayment targets to meet, I reckon they're simply winging it to get a hit.

Challenge it. Ask them to produce the "evidence" they've used to make the calculation. You've got the right of appeal, you can get form GL24 by phoning the helpline at the top of the letter or by calling your local Benefit Delivery Centre.

Tunni_2

Thanks for taking the time and trouble to reply zappster.
Tunni
ps hope you like the joke

Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day.
Teach a man to fish, and he will sit in a boat drinking beer all day.