Backdated PIP paid straight to Tax credit arrears.

Heatherg334

Hi,

I have been receiving PIP for my mental health issues for the last few years, i wrote in due to a change in circumstances and i received a letter this morning along with some back dated money that was owed to me from my change in circumstances in January.

I previously was only awarded the standard rate for the Daily living component. I have now been awarded the enhanced daily living and also standard rate for Mobility.

I received a payment this morning for 800 which is the back dated amount for the Mobility money however nothing backdated for the enhanced daily amount.

I called PIP to ask about this and they have said that they have given the other £1100 to debt repayment for previous Tax credit debt.

I have been paying a monthly agreed amount of £30 out of my UC towards this so is it right that they took the full £1100 ?

I don't ever remember receiving a letter saying i owed Tax credits as i had a welfare rights officer dealing with my finances and i have checked with him and he was unaware of this too.

I have contacted tax credits who have advised that i should write to them regarding exceptional circumstances at the time of the over payment and that they may write it off.

If that does happen would the money PIP have paid to them be paid back to me ?

Thanks 

chiarieds

Hi @Heatherg334 - & welcome to the community. I'm also a little puzzled. Why would you be repaying an 'agreed' £30 out of your UC if you didn't think you owed money due to a Tax Credit overpayment, & had a WRO dealing with your finances?

It's true that if there has been an error on the part of the DWP about an overpayment, which you had no prior knowledge about, the onus is on them to prove this, & sometimes then an overpayment may not have to be deducted. Some info here: https://www.stepchange.org/debt-info/tax-credit-overpayments.aspx

Heatherg334

Yeh I was aware of a small amount owing of £500 from the tax year 2017/2018 prior to me going into universal credit so this is the amount I am paying the £30 for, but after calling tax credits today they are saying that I owe a further £2500 which I was never made aware of from 2016/2017.

Dendoo

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/443653#Comment_443653

hi how did it all work

Out? We’ve just been hit with a big over

Payment … I did notify them

Of a change and nothing was done . They says it’s my fault I should have checked every year . As far as I was aware we were getting right

Money as I told them when

Things changed . 😞

Kimi87

The author hasn't logged in since September 2021, so you might not get a reply.

I do know from my Mum's claim overpayments were depressingly common, despite people keeping them informed of any changes. Sometimes the awards were calculated wrong by them in the first place, leading to overpayments.