Hi, my name is peck! I was over paid and they want the payment back.

peck

I applied for uc in September 2022 as I am no longer able to work and have been awarded lcwra around New year.  When esa were working out my entitlement they said they had deducted extra money paid to me and paid the difference.  Now uc have contacted me said I was over paid and want the payment back.  It is alot of money approx 350pounds.  I am a single mum to a 4 year old and I am also almost 7 months pregnant with no income from my employment as I have not been able to work since July 2020 so no longer entitled to ssp.  I am applying for pip at the minute.  Are there any other benefits that I may be entitled to? When will I apply for maternity allowance/pay?  Will that again affect my uc payments.  Does anyone have an idea how much I should be entitled to on benefits calculator it says over 900 a month but I have not received anywhere near that and now they are looking money off me.

Thanks for all help

poppy123456

Are you claiming New style ESA as well as UC? If so when exactly did you claim the ESA?

For Maternity Allowance if you haven't worked since 2020 then you may not qualify. Even if you do then MA will be deducted in full from your UC entitlement.

https://www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance/eligibility

UC has replaced all the old benefits so there's no others you can claim, other than council tax reduction from your local Authority.

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @peck

Welcome to the community! I hope Poppy's answered has helped. Just to add the GOV website has details about benefit overpayments and repayments. The page also has contact details if you ever wanted to or needed to give them a call.

calcotti

If you have been overpayment UC they will recover it even if it is their fault. I would expect it to be deducted by monthly deductions from future UC payments.

rebel11

Call the DWP debt management centre and see if you can pay the over payments in installments.  If they say yes, get the name and a confirmation email.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/income-support/income-support-appeals/paying-back-an-income-support-overpayment/#:~:text=Paying the DWP directly,ask to pay in instalments.