UC Debt Recovery for Overpayments

Hello all,

I'm having serious issues with Universal Credit seemly deducting monthly repayments of £60.02 for overpayments that have already been fully repaid. When challenged, the DWP claim they cannot deal with debt recovery matters through my online journal and gave me a telephone number to call (which I did).

This is debt from overpayments of ESA and Housing Benefit after a managed migration, so none of the debt was my personal fault. They have already fully recovered both debts.

I spent 50 minutes speaking to somebody from the DWP's Debt Recovery Team today, who purposefully feigned ignorance. After being assertive, he seemed to be saying I have to effectively pay for the two-week ESA overpayment twice.

It was a simple two-week overpayment of £346.61, which was fully deducted from my June 2024 payment award, so is not owing!

I have asked for full statements in the post, of all debts incurred and recovered by the DWP, but am skeptical these will be provided.

Any ideas on how to challenge these ongoing monthly deductions for an imaginary debt? I've had unexplained deduction for 2 months.

All these best,

SuperSuze


P.s. Sending much love to all those struggling with similar situations and benefit problems x

Thanks, David. I hadn't considered doing that. Somebody elsewhere has also suggested submitting another Mandatory Reconsideration. So, if the paperwork isn't forthcoming and the DWP won't admit to making genuine mistakes, that might be my last viable resort.

Cheers,

SuperSuze

Hi everyone,

I had a shock last night when by chance I saw on my UC journal a letter that says there are overpayments dating back to 2022 and 2023 (I had not been notified a letter was on there and the next payment is due on 22nd).
There are many many recalculations of a large amount of payments going in to hundreds of pounds! It appears to be their errors in miscalculating deductions for savings, and they've also thrown in a couple of new deductions for Carers Allowance which I wasn't even in receipt of. I am completely overwhelmed and already very physically and mentally unwell recently . I have no idea how much this is in total or what their plans are for recovery. How do I even begin to sort this out. How large a deduction will they make from my payments?

Thanks,

Saz