DWP Claims Estate of Mother

Morglin

We got one of these letters when my mum died, and it turned out they had overpaid her a week's pension.

We refunded the money, and that was the end of it.

It's all quite normal!

Lin

In_a_spin

The same here as Morglin.

My Dad was overpaid by a week between his death and a pension payment going into his bank, we paid back the money and I have just had a letter confirming his pension etc are all in order.

Goldiegirl

I had one of those letters too after my mum died.

It's completely normal. I filled out the form, and a few weeks later they wrote back and said thank you very much, the information confirms what they had on their records, and there is nothing else that needs to be done. End of story.

The OP admits to being paranoid - I'd suggest that the level of paranoia that is being exhibited is excessive.

oldboy64

Goldiegirl wrote: »

I had one of those letters too after my mum died.

It's completely normal. I filled out the form, and a few weeks later they wrote back and said thank you very much, the information confirms what they had on their records, and there is nothing else that needs to be done. End of story.

The OP admits to being paranoid - I'd suggest that the level of paranoia that is being exhibited is excessive.

Were there means tested benefits in payment prior to death? Did the deceased have considerable savings and assets?

If you are just talking about a week's overpaid State Pension - fair enough, but in the OP's case Pension Credit is involved as well as a considerable level of savings and assets.

princessdon

oldboy64 wrote: »

Were there means tested benefits in payment prior to death? Did the deceased have considerable savings and assets?

If you are just talking about a week's overpaid State Pension - fair enough, but in the OP's case Pension Credit is involved as well as a considerable level of savings and assets.

A agree there is potential for concern given the amounts involved

OP - how much pension and pension credit did mum get?

Did she also get Council Tax Benefit

Has the house always been her residence?

xylophone

As everyone has commented, the letter is standard - depending on the day of receipt of state pension an overpayment can be made.

However, you say that your mother was in receipt of pension credit on the basis that she had declared all her assets.

However, did she declare all her income? I ask because you mention

may have had a top up from her ex husbands pot.

It is unclear what exactly is meant by this - do you mean a top up to her state pension? Or that she was receiving a pension from a pension splitting order after divorce?

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/Documents/EN-GB/Factsheets/FS48_Pension_Credit_fcs.pdf?dtrk=true might be worth a look.

ILW

Nighthawkx15 wrote: »

So am I know getting the feeling it is about pension credit; I have the details, but what is missing here is the depth of analysis. Paranoid? Yes I am, I am dealing with a department that does not have a good reputation and one I do not trust
I will update this thread and each may judge the developments

Just pay them what they ask, your mother is beyond caring and it will all help pay off a bit of the national debt.

oldboy64

ILW wrote: »

Just pay them what they ask, your mother is beyond caring and it will all help pay off a bit of the national debt.

What a totally useless post. We might as well all forget to claim a benefit we may be entitled to or not ask for a backdated payment all in the cause of 'helping to sort out the country's deficit'.

Let those that caused the problem in the first place sort it out. Why pick on little old ladies (deceased)?

ILW

oldboy64 wrote: »

What a totally useless post. We might as well all forget to claim a benefit we may be entitled to or not ask for a backdated payment all in the cause of 'helping to sort out the country's deficit'.

Let those that caused the problem in the first place sort it out. Why pick on little old ladies (deceased)?

"Little old lady" could not care less. This is all about "inheritance".

Mojisola

Nighthawkx15 wrote: »

Now another standard letter has arrived, with a standard asset from to fill in so that they may “examine” if any benefit has been wrongly paid.

I'm glad the DWP do this. It catches out the people who think they're clever and claim benefits they aren't entitled to.

My Mum knew a woman who used to boast about how they hid money from the DWP and claimed everything they could. I've never understood why people doing this will often tell all and sundry what they're up to - they seem to think they are being clever.

They had a good retirement with regular holidays abroad and a holiday home on the coast here. Her face was a picture when my Mum passed on the news that the DWP would investigate after she died and reclaim any overpayments - "Oh, they won't be able to do that! They'll be taking our son's inheritance! That's not fair."

I had the standard letter when Mum died and repaid the few days' overpayment of pension and AA. If you've complied with the rules, there's nothing to worry about.