DWP chasing me for 22 year old supposed debt

t25vanman

Hi folks.
Not sure if this post is in the right place ?
I received a letter today from the DWP stating that i owed over £900 for a crisis loan plus overpayment of benefits from 1992....TWENTY TWO YEARS AGO ?
I was claiming benefits as a single parent at the time but don't remember having any crisis loan and have not claimed any benefits since 1995.
What should i do ?
thanks

MidnightHour

I'm not totally sure but i think the government can claim back since the day you were born you need to get advice from CAB or a free consultation (30 mins) from a lawyer.

mikey_bach

They must and will have to have some record of the alleged debt, and they seem to be chasing all debt at the moment. I think you need to ring them and ask for a break down and as said speak to CAB..
Their system holds the records back to the early nineties and if the record is there they can and will chase the debt.

vinster549

First thing I would do is ask them for proof of all this alleged debt.

cattie

You must try to get this sorted by asking for proof of the debt as otherwise they will expect repayment at some time. It will either be whenever you might need to claim any other DWP benefit but if not repaid by the time you retire, it will be deducted from your pension. Debts to DWP never die.

They might not be able to take you to court for the debt after the 6 yr statute, but can legally claim the money from any other monies that they might pay you in the future.