DWP over payment re-paid 12 years ago but now claiming it wasn't?!

ZILLION

I've received a letter from the DWP claiming that an over payment I received 12 years ago hasn't been repaid.
I did repay the overpayment at the time (less than £30!) I'll put this in writing to the DWP and ask them to provide evidence that this is outstanding.
I've spoken to the DWP and they seem rather woolly about what data they do and don't have and why this has now arisen.

I wondered if anyone has received a similar letter and if this was part of a larger scale !!!! up?!

alison999

it may be that you will have to prove that you HAVE paid, rather them having to prove that you havent. perhaps you can get a old bank statement that'll have the payment on?

[Deleted User]

12 years ago and £30??? thats plain daft,i`d be tempted to tell them to take me to court if that were me,i`m sure it would be laughed out of any court in the land

KILL_BILL

i think that as a matter of course they will write to request the overpayment but if you ignore it/dispute they will write it off their books on the grounds of its not worth the expense of the recovery action

jacnorm

My daughter in law had a similar letter not so long ago and she requested proof that it was still outstanding and they did argue that she had to pay it. She eventually got it sorted out but, it took several calls to different departments. Also they do employ outside agencies to recover some outstanding debts and they get wires crossed according to a supervisor that got it sorted out for her.