Overpayment - Debt Management?

[Deleted User]

DWP are after me for an alleged overpayment of £130 from January 2007, where I told them about a change in circumstances (i started working part time - got a note from Jobcentre Plus to prove i told them) but they claim they paid too much.

Now they've handed it over to something called DWP Debt Management, who wrote to me in January this year asking for it.

I wrote back, and they've taken three months with no answer for a "decision maker" to make a, you know... decision.

But nothing.

Should I be worried?

dmg24

Did they definitely receive your letter? Why not give them a call and ask why you have not heard from them?

healy

If the DWP did make an overpayment and it was their error, as it sounds from what you have said, this would be classed as an "official error". In this case they can write and ask for the overpayment but you are not obilged to pay them back.

suelees1

When you say you wrote - did you actually appeal the decision or ask them to reconsider it?

I don't know why but this is a regular occurence with DWP Debt Management. It will most probably have been the Jobcentre Benefit Delivery Centre which made the overpayment decision. They then send to Debt Man. for them to recover.

If you wrote to Debt Man I think they've got a big black hole for correspondence. Just ring to ask about it.

However if you wrote to the local office to appeal the decision you need to also contact Debt Management to let them know you've appealed otherwise they'll keep sending recovery letters out.

As Healy says it could be an official error so although they'll ask for it back it won't be a recoverable overpayment. What did the letter say? If it didn't specify your right of appeal then it's probably not recoverable and they'll just be hoping you'll cough up