Dwp say I owe money

[Nikki7316]

I have not been on benefits for over 8 years. I only work part time due to mental health issues. But I got Deductions made from dwp without any notification as i have moved 4 times in 8 years. I also got married so my name changed. But I heard nothing. Just got told they were taking £43 a month out of my part time wages. So it was paid. Now they have come back saying I owe more. Can I not fight this as i don't believe I owe it. I have offered to pay £20 a week. But does this mean they can just take it? Can't I appeal against it. Do I have no rights ??

[Kati]

Re: Dwp say I owe money

Have they told you what the 'debt' is? An overpayment? An old social fund loan?

Of course you can question it! They should be made to show exactly how they decided that you owed them anything. Your local CAB might be able to advise, or your MP.

I'll also tag [MENTION=98117]warwick65[/MENTION] [MENTION=39710]des8[/MENTION] (who may have some ideas) xx

[des8]

Re: Dwp say I owe money

Benefit Overpayments & Social Fund Loans

The Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) has 6 years to take action through the courts to recover benefit overpayments and social fund loans. This time starts running from the date of the final decision made on the overpayment and from when the social fund loan was due to be paid. But the DWP are still allowed to make deductions from your benefit for a debt over 6 years old as they don’t need to go to court to do this. This applies to overpayments of benefits such as income support, job seekers allowance, pension credit, housing benefit, council tax benefit and paying back social fund loans.

You need to find out from DWP what this alleged overpayment is?, under what authority they are deducting money from your wages (have they obtained a CCJ and
attachment of earnings order)?