Unknown "overpayment" of Jobseekers from 2000!!!

[Moroaks]

Any advice of this I would be so grateful! Last year out of the blue I got an attachment on earnings which I queried and got a response from DWP saying I was on Jobseeker's Allowance from 1/9/2000 to 31/01/2002 and living with my partner so I owe them the £6244 as I was cohabiting! This was a total shock as I do remember claiming benefit when I was about 23-24 years old but I certainly was not "living" or cohabiting with anyone at that age! I sent a letter back and eventually got the response that reiterated the dates and the amount and that there was a retention of documents so this is the information they have even though I said I want proof of any overpayment as I was not in any relationship then! How can they do this and why had I not heard about any overpayment as this was a legitimate claim at that time - they must have paperwork as how can they say this - what can I do next as I have asked for proof of their claim?

[vanman]

Re: Unknown "overpayment" of Jobseekers from 2000!!!

you need to send a SAR to them



Data Protection Act 1998
Subject Access Request

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please would you supply me with a complete list of personal data you hold on me. You should be aware that personal data can be held in written information, e-mails, electronic documents, photographs, CCTV images, telephone conversations and include recorded opinions about or intentions regarding myself.

Additionally, where there has been any event in the account history over this period which has required any manual intervention by any member of your staff or any other person, I require disclosure of any indication or notes which have either caused or resulted in that manual intervention in relation to my account.

If you are unable to supply the information in relation to manual intervention because there has been no such manual intervention, then please be kind enough to confirm this in your response to this request.

This is my request to access ALL the data held by you and any other company associated with you about myself. You should be fully aware of the statutory obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998 and that any failure to comply with this request could result in a contravention of the said Act.

You have 40 Days in which to comply.
Yours sincerely

(Signed)

they will say as this is over 6 years old they hold no data
if this is the case then in my opinion they have a problem as there will be no evidence to back up there claim.
but on the over hand if they do come up with data for you .
you will be able to point out the error they made

[nemesis45]

Re: Unknown "overpayment" of Jobseekers from 2000!!!

Any advice of this I would be so grateful! Last year out of the blue I got an attachment on earnings which I queried and got a response from DWP saying I was on Jobseeker's Allowance from 1/9/2000 to 31/01/2002 and living with my partner so I owe them the £6244 as I was cohabiting! This was a total shock as I do remember claiming benefit when I was about 23-24 years old but I certainly was not "living" or cohabiting with anyone at that age! I sent a letter back and eventually got the response that reiterated the dates and the amount and that there was a retention of documents so this is the information they have even though I said I want proof of any overpayment as I was not in any relationship then! How can they do this and why had I not heard about any overpayment as this was a legitimate claim at that time - they must have paperwork as how can they say this - what can I do next as I have asked for proof of their claim?

I suspect that the retained documents contain data the may actually refer to a 3rd party or would lead to a 3rd party being identified so cannot be provided to you.

The Welfare Reform Act that came into force in 2012 allowed the DWP to chase outstanding debts owed to the department (i.e. the British Tax Payers) without any time limits. After 6 years the LA 1980 still applies and court action is not possible. Direct action including attachment of earnings and deductions from current and future benefits including state pensions and pension credits, and the introduction of 3rd party private sector partners ( debt collection agencies) to collect these debts.

nem

I think a SAR may not produce much further information but it's worth a try.

[Kati]

Re: Unknown "overpayment" of Jobseekers from 2000!!!

I SAR'd the DWP once (a few years ago now) and they sent me so much info I had enough shredded paper to last my son's pet rabbits two months :tinysmile_twink_t2:. Even with certain bits redacted it was well worth it :nod: and ... the DWP don't charge for one either