Pension Credit Overpayment

[Seniorwoman]

Hello, can anyone tell me if there is a maximum amount the DWP can ask you repay per week if your only income is state pension and DLA?

[THECORBYLOON]

EDDIE, I'm sure the folk at the CABx are wonderful but they don't have any special access with DWP. Claimants can give consent for the CAB to act on their behalf and discuss matters relating to their claims with DWP but that also applies to any third party.

[Mamyalynne]

Well done Corby, you have at least given some ideas of possible amounts for the OP.

[EDDIE51]

OK Corby , But when I had my pension credit stopped due to a mistake at the DWP I spent over an hour trying to phone without getting an answer. I went to the CAB who got through within a few seconds!
I commented on the fact that I had tried unsuccessfully for over an hour to phone. The adviser told me that they had a phone line available only to to agencies such as the CAB .

[Jackdaw33]

I used to work for National Rail Enquiries (before they thought that India could cope better than us). Although there was just one public number and it was pot luck as to which call centre you got through to, we also had a special local number which got you through to our centre and placed you at the front of the queue. We were not supposed to give that number to the public but for special friends...

[Islay]

Eddie, I have also mentioned to you before that there is no special number for the CAB.
As Corby mentioned for the DWP it is the same for HMRC!

[EDDIE51]

^ I'm just repeating what the CAB told me!

[ummmm]

Did you ever work for CAB, Eddie?

[jackthehat]

Mrs JtH works for the DWP and there is no such number and whilst I have asked her if she can help with the OP there is not enough information given....

[Islay]

Eddie you have now been told by 2 people that work there its not true - yet you still state it is!!

[Islay]

Sorry 3 people JTH wasn't there when I started writing this!

[ummmm]

Eddie often posts about things he doesn't actually know about as facts.

[EDDIE51]

As I said I was told that they had a direct access number when I asked how the CAB were able to get through in a matter of seconds when I had been trying for over half an hour without an answer. That is as much as I know.

[Islay]

Yes but do you now accept that they don't have direct access

[THECORBYLOON]

It may just be that someone got hold of a direct number for a processor and used that rather than using a contact centre.

[Seniorwoman]

Thanks everyone for your replies. The overpayment was because I moved to an address where there was a non dependant adult who was not on benefits and therefore I'm not entitled to SDP part of pension credit. I found this out through Age UK website not the DWP who just wrote to say I'm not entitled to pension credit anymore because of change of circumstances. Also income too high for savings credit so no pension credit. They are asking for over £3,000 back which is a lot of money, from Sept 2014 to Jan 2017 when they were aware of my circumstances. I had all my post redirected and the post office told them. I rang them and told them in January that I had forgotten to let them know and asked my solicitor if it made any difference when I moved and she said no, pension credit has to do with income and that had no changed. Obviously, I realise now that she was not aware of the rules about "non-dependants" and neither was I until I looked it up as I could not understand why it had been stopped and DWP were not being very clear. Anyway, I could ask them to reconsider but I think they may be right. Also, I would like a breakdown of the figure.
I read on Age UK site that if you are 65 or over (I'm 66) changes due to non-dependants that would reduce your PC should not apply until 26 weeks after the change of circumstance. So although I was not over 65 when my circumstances changed, would this still apply as I am now. Another thing is that they were aware I had moved to a new address even though I had not told them, back in February 2015 as my friend who also moved to the address was called for an interview at local DWP and asked why they had moved. They had their post redirected too. The official mentioned that they knew I had moved there. My friend, by the way is registered blind and also on PC and DLA and over 65. DWP seemed happy with what they said and would send report back Pensions who had asked for interview. So why didn't they contact me too? We heard nothing except for the annual letter. Sorry this is long winded but thought I'd give you a few more details. I will pay them back if I have to but just want to know how much per week. Thanks again for all your help.

[themas]

Islay - I don't know when you were working on Tax Credits, but can assure you that HMRC do have a special number for Tax Credits for CAB & some other advice agencies. This has been the case for most of the time that Tax Credits have existed.

Seniorwoman - As Corbyloon says, there is no maximum deduction from state pension or DLA so you will need to negotiate if you are unhappy with what they say they want. However, I would think they should not deduct from the DLA, which is a benefit for specific disabilities.

[EDDIE51]

themas Thank you for confirming I was not mistaken.
I had tried several times each time for over 1/2 an hour. I was astounded when the CAB got through in a matter of seconds. The adviser definitely told me that the CAB had a special number that was not available to the public.

[Islay]

themas last year!!

[Islay]

I should also point out that I worked in overpayments and there was no direct dial to overpayments.

[Islay]

Oh and Eddie you said it was DWP you were trying to get to and several people who work for DWP have told you there is no such number!!