UC overpayment mandatory reconsideration

mmoo60

Hi, After decision maker, I'm paying back large overpayment via my claim (ie £0 for next few years! 🥺 no other money) Journal said 'no' to mandatory reconsideration. Can they say that? I found the form anyway CRMR1. struggling to fill it in. I understand whoevers fault.. I pay. How can I word it to ask if they could reduce the amount at all? Is that even possible? My MH is blown right now. So scared. Thank you

Alex_Alumni

I'm sorry to hear this @mmoo60 have you tried reaching out to any professional advisers? You can search on Advice Local, or enquire with Turn2Us or Citizens Advice?

You can also contact the Scope Helpline by phone or email to speak to one of our advisers too.

Have you spoken to anyone about how all this is making you feel, like your GP? Then can help support you with your mental health, or build on the support you already have in place. 

If there's anything we've missed, or you still feel unsure about, please ask and we'll do what we can  

mmoo60

Thank you for replying @Alex_Scope
I've managed to get the form sent now. eek!  Fingers crossed. I rang Scope they gave me Citizens advice no. They said they will help if its turned down. 
(Dr is pretty useless tbh, only concerned if I was to 'commit any self harm' and 'make a mess of her office' sheesh.   Crisis team dismissed me without even meeting me!  Must all be in my head lol.) Don't get me wrong.. I'm a polite pleasant person to meet. Just invisible as is MH.
UC are giving me £0 a month to live on, so that's good too.
Scared stiff right now. Thanks for listening Alex x

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @mmoo60

I hope Citizen's Advice are able to help you. I'm so sorry that your Dr acted like that, can I ask, does your GP Practice have multiple doctors under them? I'm wondering if seeing another doctor would be more beneficial. But, you don't have to see a Doctor to get a mental health referral. You can self refer through the NHS website. 

There are also some amazing organisations out there like SHOUT who are a 24/7 mental health texting service. 

mmoo60

Thank you @Hannah_Scope
My previous one was good but I got moved to this other one's list. I've thought about it yes..
I wasn't aware of self referral. I will look into that. I had a lovely therapist but covid and cost put an end to it. 
Thanks for the Shout tip too.
X

Adrian_Scope

Hello @mmoo60. It is my understanding that deductions for overpayments are handled by DWP debt management and they are usually quite flexible in the lowering the repayment amount if it is leaving someone in financial hardship. Have you tried giving them a call to discuss?
There's also a limit to what they can take so shouldn't zero your award unless you have other deductions for wages or overlapping benefits. Has anyone taken a look at your statement to ensure that it is correct?

mmoo60

Hi @Adrian_Scope , It's re an old ISA I informed them of in first month of claim!, I shall cash it in to go towards the overpayment, I've told UC that.  Have been advised not to contact or pay anything yet as that commits me to the whole overpayment amount of £19K!  My Mand. Recon. is asking to reduce this amount as I did not "fail to inform them" I have a bit of proof.
If no joy then appeal.. eek.
Waiting now..... holding my breath since March 😣🤯🥺
I thought that too but seems they can 😢 (Just UC & LCWRA to £0, no other factors) Can't trim down DD's etc any further ie Electric Insurance etc. so they'll all bounce soon with charges. 
Too scared to do PIP (been suggested to me) as LCWRA nearly finished me off!  
Sorry waffling on.. absolutely no one to talk to, 62 and got this far with my "head" I suppose. 🤔
Thank you Adrian x

mmoo60

Thanks @Danny123 .  I thought so too.
My ISA will clear about half. The rest from UC deductions over a long time. 
Giveth then takeawayeth lol
Then I have nothing until pension in 4 years time at 67. Unless I cash that in too! 
First time in my life I asked for help!
Should've know it would go wrong 😢
Just need this sorted and out of this 'head'. I'm hanging on..just 🤞🤞

poppy123456

Danny123 said:

 I think and I'm not quite sure but it's around a pound for every 250 pounds your over the limit a week , I think maybe uc is a bit more , im not quite sure the excact figures

That applies to legacy benefits. For UC it's £4.35/month for every £250 or part there of over £6,000.

mmoo60

I've given them a whole spreadsheet lol
with all the £4.35/£250 deductions worked out for the 6 - 16k bit. 
I flagged it up to them. After noticing the deductions weren't right. 
Thank you @Danny123 & Poppy 

mmoo60

I will. X