OMG How did I get it so wrong. So scared now.
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Thanks again Poppy it really is reassuring when you reply. I probably will amass more money as I am just not a spender but I am also aware I am close to the £16,000 cut off.
The thing is without the over payment I wouldn't be anywhere near that amount so its not really my money if you understand what I mean.
Yes I'm embarrassed to say it is 6 years. I feel like a criminal.0 -
Aww you’re welcome. I’m glad I’m here to help. I’m sure you’re not the only person that didn’t realise.2
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If the worse comes to the worse and they shut my claim down will I be able to go on new ESA in the future? I'm not sure how it all works now.
I have read some other threads I am right in thinking I would need to of been working or would my NI of been paid whilst on old style ESA?
It is all such a minefield, scary one at that!0 -
If all your ESA is Income Related and I think it is then you will only be able to reclaim New style ESA if you've worked at some point in the previous 2 tax years. Any claim for means tested benefits would be for Universal Credit.0
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Thanks Poppy.
Would I then be expected to look for work despite my health conditions?0 -
When you claim UC if you were in the Support Group for ESA then you would be entitled to the LCWRA element from the start of your claim. Which means you don't need to look for work.
If you didn't go above that amount then it's highly unlikely your ESA will stop.0 -
It didn't go over but I fear it might in the interim whilst they investigate. That said most of the money in my bank account is actually over payment.0
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You said they've already reduced your money. I would say if they were going to suspend it they would have done that by now.0
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I wish they would suspend it.0
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As there's now a deduction the overpayment will not increase further, providing your savings do not increase further.0
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Just updating that I still have not heard from DWP which fills me with anxiety.
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I’ve been over the £6k once before and reported it as soon as I realised the error - the person on the other end of the dwp line told me that those knowingly committing fraud generally don’t report themselves so believed id made a genuine mistake
This was many years back (when the dwp was somewhat ‘kinder’ - though there are still some genuinely understandable ppl in their ranks) - however you’ve done everything right and you clearly didn’t knowingly commit fraud (the welfare system is complex to understand and navigate and almost all claimants and dwp staff have unintentionally made a mistake at some point)
You are being too hard on yourself, you’ve done everything you can…….the only thing I’d recommend (if you are good with numbers) is use your past bank statements to calculate how much you were overpaid by for your own records, just in case the dwp own figures majorly differ from your own
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Hi again. It has now been 8 months since I informed DWP about being over £6000 and I sill haven't heard anything 🙈.
I am too scared to ring them but I would of thought they would be keen to get the money I owe back.
I am now panicking about why I haven't heard anything and wonder if they are going to prosecute me.
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It does take time for them to calculate any overpayments, and there are backlogs due to limited numbers of staff, but even so, 8 months seems like a very long wait.
I don't think you have any other option than just to keep waiting or phoning for an update. 🙁
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That is a long wait @Annieanxious. You've done the right thing by letting them know straightaway so try not to worry. Just in case you didn't have this information -
This gives you an idea of how much money they may want you to repay so it won't be such a shock if they do ask for it back 😊
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Still haven't heard anything!
I have another question. My dog needs an operation which is going to cost between £3000/£5000 am I allowed to use my benefit money to pay for that?
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You can spend your money however you like, as long as you have a written bill from the Vet I can't see how that would be classed as Deprivation of Capital.
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Thank you @Kimmy87 it is such a grey area it makes me worry.
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PDSA allows people on certain benefits to register pets for veterinary treatment. It used to be payment by donation. May help in the future if you have a PDSA near you.
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Blimey, that really is a long wait now.
I'm still waiting to hear from ESA myself, nearly 6 months waiting now. I don't know whether that means it was all fine or whether it means they still haven't got round to checking the statements yet.
As with yourself, I'm happy to pay any excess back if needs be, but it feels very unfair that they makes us wait so long to find out (or perhaps never respond at all?) when we're given very tight deadlines to get things in to them.
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