Overpaid Jobseekers allowance... what to do?

Ancoats

Hi,

I have been claiming JSA for the last three months whilst looking for employment. I usually get the standard 130.00 every two weeks, however this Wednesday I didn't get paid.

So today I went to my local Jobcentre, explained the situation, and the advisor was confused, saying that I'd been signed on correctly in the system but the payment had not been processed, but he would put forwards an emergency request for me to receive my money from the previous two weeks.

Just now I have recieved two seperate payments from the Jobcentre, both for confusing amounts. One for the sum of 186.90 and the other for the sum of 280.00

I'm confused as to how these totals have been worked out, and where this overpayment has come from.

My question now is, what do I do regarding this overpayment and how do I return the excess money to the jobcentre?

Regards
Ben

AsknAnswer2

Are you absolutely certain that you have been overpaid and that it is not money you are due from an earlier period? Are you paid by giro or into an account?

Ancoats

Hi

I'm not sure if its money due from an earlier period, as the previous times I've been on JSA I was always paid in full (mind you, the first time I claimed five years ago when on a new deal course, it wasnt paid in for like 5/6 months until they sorted it out)

But from the last two years, I've been given the correct amount I assume from calculations I have made.

I am paid directly into a bank account if it helps.

AsknAnswer2

You need to contact the benefit delivery centre. The telephone number will be on any letters about your JSA, and will begin with 0845. Explain the sitaution to them, and they will check the payment system to see if the payments definately came from them. (On your bank statement it may say DWP - but that could be anywhere within DWP not necesserily JSA). If the payments did come from them, they will be able to check why you have been overpaid and will advise you how to return it - if indeed it was paid in error.

You haven't applied for anything else from DWP recently, have you? Social Fund loan or grant or anything like that?

Seems a strange amount to have been overpaid. It could be that you are in fact entitled to it, or it could be that someone else has applied to DWP for something and have given your bank details in error. This can happen if someone gives a wrong sort code or account number on a claim which results in the money being paid into someone else's account. One wrong digit written on an application form can result in this.

Ancoats

Hi,

only thing I've claimed recently is Disability Living Allowance for my condition, but thats been paid in full, and wont be paid again til end of the month. (but the figures given to me dont match what I'd get from them per month, so cant be that)

But on my bank statements, usually they say if they come from jsa or dla

but with these two payments, it looks like the JSA admin centre in Manchester sent it direct to me (probably after a request from the advisor I saw this morning)

I will check tomorrow if I am entitled to it or if not, then how to proceed. I am deaf so cant use telephones. Will go down my jobcentre

AsknAnswer2

The jobcentre don't deal with releasing payments for JSA so I don't know if they will be able to access this area of your records (security), but they should be able to contact the office for you by telephone while you are there and make the relevant enquiries.

There should also be a textphone number on the letters, if you use a textphone.

Indie_Kid

Ancoats wrote: »

Hi,

only thing I've claimed recently is Disability Living Allowance for my condition, but thats been paid in full

You might've been paid a disability premium on top of your JSA - what JSA are you on? (cont. based or income based)

Ancoats

Hi,

thanks for this. I dont have access to a textphone at the moment but will try to access one.

Cheers for your help

Ben

Ancoats

sh1305 wrote: »

You might've been paid a disability premium on top of your JSA - what JSA are you on? (cont. based or income based)

cont based, when I applied I didnt have an income or savings (was made redundant)

as for disability payment, I only got accepted for it two weeks ago and got my backdated payment... but still, it seems rather a lot?

tcr_3

Think sh1305 has nailed it ... the £280 is 10 wks disability premium at £28 pw. That means you've claimed both JSA Contributory and JSA Income Based. Dunno how the other payment was worked out, could be a few odd days in there somewhere or maybe enhanced disability premium etc.

What rate of DLA were you awarded ?

Indie_Kid

Did you get another letter (I don't know if they do this) stating that due to change of circumstances, (DLA award) you're now getting x amount of money every 2 weeks, plus back pay?