DWP Debt recovery Dept.

[Bitterend]

I am not sure if this is in the right place or if it should be under Social welfare & Health.
My mother passed away 18 months ago and the DWP wrote regarding recovery of welfare overpayments. They are trying to recover Pension credits, Attendance Allowance Premium and Carers Premium.

As my mother had savings it is clear she should not have had the Pension credits. However as far as I can see Attendance allowance and carers allowance is not means tested. And my mother did need the care due to her condition and frailty.

Having spoken to the DWP; after being pushed from pillar to post and told to ring different departments I spoke to someone who said that mother was not receiving attendance allowance, but attendance allowance premium, which is means tested. And not carers allowance, but carers premium again which is means tested.

I have searched for these benefits and there is nothing I can find on any of the DWP or Gov websites which refer to this. Nor anywhere else for that matter. I do feel as though they are trying to bamboozle me and railroad me into repaying legitimate entitlements. Can anyone shed any light on these benefits please?

[enaid]

Re: DWP Debt recovery Dept.

Attendance Allowance is not means tested neither is Carers Allowance but that is taxable and you can only earn up to £104 per week to be in receipt of it. It also stops when you claim your state pension although you may still be classed as a carer and therefore be entitled to Carers premium through Tax credits.
The two premiums you are asking about would be included in the Pension Credit calculations, so if your mum was not entitled to Pension credits they will be reclaimed too.

You need to be sure your mum was not entitled too Pension Credits as there are 2 kinds Guaranteed and Savings.
A bit of info about it is on this link http://www.ageuk.org.uk/money-matter...ension-credit/

Hopefully when you have read that you will be a little clearer and then I would ask the DWP for more information as to why and what they are claiming