Dwp

ST3V0

Hi there
I received a letter from the DWP saying i owe them £422
from a crisis loan for a cot and other bits.
bare in mind my daughter is now 22 years old.

yes this loan is from 1993 .

they have given me till end of the month to make contact, or they will go the the next stage.

DEA or collection agency

is this even possible, im sure i paid it when myself and ex-wife split up . like the rest of the bill i had to pay .
but after 22 years i have no proof.

DCFC79

I'd send them a prove it letter, just google prove it letter template.

The letter basically asks them to prove the debt is still outstanding. I'm surprised they have records going that far back.

I know with loans once its been over 6 years since it was acknowledged you don't have to pay but I'm not sure if DWP are different, someone more knowledgeable will help.

Morglin

Unlike normal debt, there is no time limit for money owed to the DWP or Inland Revenue, but do as previous poster suggested, and send them a "prove it" letter.

Lin

RuthnJasper

I got one of these letters recently. I remembered borrowing the money and knew I hadn't repaid it. I contacted them; they were very helpful and are letting me repay it at £10 per month.

poppasmurf_bewdley

The DWP seem to be trawling their records as there seem to be quite a few of these queries appearing on this forum recently.

You can try the 'prove it' letter, but usually the DWP are on pretty firm ground.

Although the statute barred route can be used, it only means they can't take the case to court. But as a last resort, they can deduct what is owing from any benefits you may get, up to and including your state pension.

It may be better, as RuthnJasper did, to offer a low monthly payment. After all, you have probably had 22 years interest free credit on the money.

iolanthe07

Although the statute barred route can be used,

I thought the Statute Barred route didn't apply to money owed to government departments, but I stand to be corrected.

Gaz83

iolanthe07 wrote: »

Although the statute barred route can be used,

I thought the Statute Barred route didn't apply to money owed to government departments, but I stand to be corrected.

Statute barred just means that a debt can't be pursued by the courts.

DCFC79

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

The DWP seem to be trawling their records as there seem to be quite a few of these queries appearing on this forum recently.

You can try the 'prove it' letter, but usually the DWP are on pretty firm ground.

Thanks, ill remember that for future.

iolanthe07

Gaz83 wrote: »

Statute barred just means that a debt can't be pursued by the courts.

Well, I know that! I just understood that the six year rule (five in Scotland) doesn't apply to debts owed to government departments. But I'll check it out.

tomtontom

iolanthe07 wrote: »

Well, I know that! I just understood that the six year rule (five in Scotland) doesn't apply to debts owed to government departments. But I'll check it out.

Statute barring does apply to govt debts, they cannot be pursued via the courts after six years. However the DWP (etc) can still recoup the debt through benefit deductions and an attachment of earnings.

ST3V0

thanks for your replys
i have contacted them and asked if they can send me proof,
I know i did have the money but 90% sure it was paid .
I'm sure i got them to take it out my wages weekly.

they are being quite helpful tbh

At the end of the day if i owe it i'll pay it.