C
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I would recommend that you friend gets face to face advice, we are very limited in the advice that we can give in these matters.
It may simply be down to her not informing the DWP. Whether they will attempt any recovery will depend on a number of factors; did the accident contribute to her need to claim benefits? You say that the money is "protected", it needs to be in a trust to which she has no direct access! If this has not been set up correctly then there may have been an over payment of benefits,
This is why she needs to see an advisor as all of these matters require someone to look at the paperwork.
She can have someone with her at the interview, I would strongly recommend that she does.
Gordon
