DWP: appeal ignored

r2mechoo

hi there everyone

i was falsely accused of working last year for one week and told them in an interview this was wrong. so anyway got a letter about a month ago saying they were deducting 131 odd quid from my benefits and i could appeal this decision. well, i wrote to them saying i wanted to appeal but they then sent me a letter saying they were just taking said money *anyway* with no mention of any appeal. since then the deductions have started. is this right? can they do this?
it's actually the false accusation and fact that they seem to have ignored the appeal thing thats annoying me most, not the money.

cheers all

DomRavioli

You'll need to call them and ask them.

~Beanie~

How can you be sure that they actually received your letter? I would ring them.

StormyWeather_2

Did you fill in the appeal form. I think it's GS24.

Appeals can take months to be dealt with.

missapril75

Something's missing.

If the accusation was false, there would be no earnings to deduct from benefits or no period of disallowance. So there would be no overpayment.

Unless there's been a major change, notice of an overpayment advises the opportunity to ask for more details or to make an appeal (an appeal needs to be specific - sometimes people think what they've written constitutes an appeal but is too 'general') and I believe it also asks for repayment proposals. Ideally they'd like it resolved quickly and compulsory deductions are kind of a last resort rather than the automatic action suggested.

cattie

Was this an interview under caution that you had in relation to being overpaid benefits?