im so confused

anth22

Hi ive checked google ect and cant find the answer:( IC have decided out the blue they over paid me and are going to take £150 a month from my payments. Does anyone know if it true they have suspended over payment repayments until further notice due to covid? 

poppy123456

All overpayments, even if it's their error have to be repaid back when claiming UC. They are only supposed to take a maximum of 30% of your standard allowance.

They did suspend paying back overpayments and loans at the start of the first lockdown but that's now been lifted since July and they are now asking people to start paying back money they owe.

You can claim hardship if that amount is too much and it's leaving you with very little each month and you can ask them to reduce the payments but you will need to prove that you can't afford the monthly deductions, although it will depend what the overpayment is for.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-out-about-money-taken-off-your-universal-credit-payment#what-to-do-if-youre-struggling-to-repay-your-debt

More info here too. https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/how_to_deal_with_universal_credit_deductions_if_you_owe_money