overpayment — Scope | Disability forum
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overpayment

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amymc97
amymc97 Community member Posts: 2 Listener
in Universal Credit (UC)
Hi! Long story ... i was receiving carers element for a while as one of my work coaches said i was entitled to it and added it to my claim but after moving area and getting a new work coach they said i wasnt entitled and shouldnt have been claiming it. This was unknown to me as i hadnt a clue about alot of it ... they then said i owe them money (about £9000)  as ive been overpaid and they have been taking it off my monthly payments. 

I obviously had no clue i wasnt entitled to it! Should this not have been something my previous work coach should have sorted? 🤷🏻‍♀️

I did try explain this to my work coach but they said its basically still my fault and i have to pay it 🤦🏻‍♀️ 

Thats a lot of money and im already in a debt management plan for other debts 😭
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  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 54,576 Disability Gamechanger
    edited October 2023
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    To be entitled to carers element you must be caring for someone that claims either daily living PIP, DLA mid/high rate care, ADP daily living or AA. You must be caring for them for at least 35 hours per week. 

    What was the reason you weren’t entitled to it? £9,000 is a lot of money and this suggests you were claiming carers element for potentially over 3 years. 
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
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  • amymc97
    amymc97 Community member Posts: 2 Listener
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    At the time the person i was caring for wasnt claiming any of those, but this wasnt explained to me at the time of course. My work coach who i would see regularly didnt mention i shouldnt have been claiming it ... they said i could claim it
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  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 54,576 Disability Gamechanger
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    The carers element would have needed to be awarded by a decision maker. Checks should have been made before awarding it.

    However, because all overpayments for UC are recoverable even if it's official error (it's the law) then you will need to pay this all back. Not that i agree with this but unfortunately, it's the rules.
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
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  • Jimm_Scope
    Jimm_Scope Posts: 2,763 Scope online community team
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    A horrible situation to have been put into through no fault of your own. I know it can be quite stressful hearing such a large number has to be paid back but it certainly wasn't your fault so you should not receive any penalties.

    They will likely take money out of your current benefits. However, they shouldn't do so to a point that leaves you destitute. 

    You can speak to DWP Debt Management about how to repay them in a way that does not leave you suffering, their number is 0800 916 0647. You can read more about the service here DWP Debt Management customer service standards 
    They/Them, however they are no wrong pronouns with me so whatever you feel most comfortable with
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