Death and overpayment of benefist query

Mee

Dear All,

My father passed away some months ago (aged 75). Soon after being granted letters of administration the DWP wrote to me asking me to fill out a DS15S income form and not to distribute any funds before they confirm that there is nothing owing. I sent the completed form straight away and asked for them to let me know as soon as possible what the status of their investigation. I received a letter yesterday saying that there 'may' have been an overpayment of income support and pension credit, that they were requesting documents from the relevant office, and not to distribute any funds (again). I'm concerned that this may be more than a holding/standard letter, although I can't believe that my father was overpaid anything. They wanted to know the value of his home, but he derived no income from it during his lifetime and so I'm not sure what that has to do with them.

Yours anxiously...

calleyw

I can only assume the reason they asked for the value of the house. Is that they want to know that there is money in your fathers estate, so if there had been any over payment that they can get their money back.

I thought benefits where paid in arrears. So if you informed they straight away not sure how there could have been over payment.

I am sure someone who knows better will be along soon.


Yours


Calley

Mee

Thanks Calleyw.

calleyw wrote: »

I can only assume the reason they asked for the value of the house. Is that they want to know that there is money in your fathers estate, so if there had been any over payment that they can get their money back. Calley

- I hope so too

calleyw wrote: »

I thought benefits where paid in arrears. So if you informed they straight away not sure how there could have been over payment. Calley

yes, the irony is that when I received the first letter the DWP owed my father pension money as he was unable to sign his pension cheques whilst ill and whilst I was applying to be an appointee.