DWP looking into a pension credit overpayment

David5690

Hi I posted this before, but in the wrong section as I was kindly told I could get a better response here. So I'll try here for advice, many thanks!!


Hi all

My mother passed away in Nov 2010, leaving £20,000 in her bank account. I am the executor of the estate and I got a letter from the DWP wanting to know what savings my mum had from 2000-2003 as they suspect a pension credit overpayment . So I contacted the bank and asked them for the records. I just got a letter from the bank stating in a nut shell "In line with our retention services, historical records are only kept six years, we are unable to to provide you with the info you have requested"

I'm wondering what happens next, I'll obviously post a copy of this to the DWP. But I'm wondering what they will do from here without any records, what will I have to pay back without a detailed statement from the year 2000-2003?. Will any overpayment become null and void as no records can be obtained etc etc.


Any help or advice would be great and appreciated.

Thanks so much

Dave.

rogerblack

First step in my view would be to do a subject access request on your mums records.
Get all her records, and see where they may be coming from.
Of course - the DWP regularly shred files too...

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/privacy-policy/data-protection/