DWP settlement figure?

kittyminx

Hi

Does anyone have any experience of offering the DWP a settlement figure? I was overpaid (without my knowledge) when I worked for them and they are pursuing me for it (about £600) I have made a low monthly arrangement with them but if they will agree to a reduced amount I can borrow to pay it...Not sure if they would agree though as it's the DWP...ie tax payers money or if it's right morally...what do you guys think??

kitts

MCBIRNIE25

Kitty,
when woorking for DWP, if you are overpaid in good faith,and you were genuinely unaware, they cannot demand the money back. As a trade union rep for DWP have dealt with this on a few occassions.
I doubt they would agree to a reduced amount, never came across that before as they are usually happy to take small payments until the debt is cleared off.

kittyminx

Mcbirnie,

Thanks for the information...I guess it's too late for me now though. I left a while back (18 months ago) and it has taken until now for them to actually sort it out..I was only over paid by a small amount amonth...about £35 so I didn't even realise, never really discussed with others what they were on and everyone was on different with performance related pay anyway...Oh well, i guess i'll just pay off all my other debts first then get it out of the way.

Thanks again

Bakeybadoo

We are paying back a £600 debt but ours has been passed to what I think is an unconnected DCA (Commercial Collection Services) so because it's gone to DC, I think (hope) we have a fighting chance of offering a settlement.

alien9211

DWP Debt Management is normally very good at accepting flexiable payment plan. Though the minimum weekly repayment will be £8.70 and I dont think they will accept less than this. You have to send your financial statement to Debt Management with covering letter explaining how much you can pay each week/month. If you can afford minimum payment then you dont have to borrow money (you might end up paying interest on the top of borrowed money). DWP doesnt want you to get more into debts thats why considers your financial statement to ease the process of repayment. Financial statement is a single page information about your weekly/monthly household income mean-tested benefits or earnings from your work minus total expenditure and money available to pay back the overpayment.

If you are an OAP and had Pension overpaid then DWP will be more lenient with you and will give an easy payment plan.
Good Luck
Alien