DWP has confirmed that people may be forced to repay benefit overpayments, even when mistakes are made by officials
The Government has admitted that people battling serious or terminal illnesses could be chased for benefit overpayments – even when blunders are down to officials. The news emerged in a written parliamentary statement from Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) minister Andrew Western.
Benefit overpayments remain a flashpoint, with the DWP clawing back a staggering £2.7 billion in overpaid benefits during 2023-24 – a figure encompassing payments wrongly issued to claimants. Critics contend that some of society’s most vulnerable people, including those facing terminal diagnoses, endure unnecessary anguish from repayment demands.
With thousands of terminally ill claimants potentially impacted annually, charities caution that even modest repayment requests can prove “devastating” for families already grappling with a medical emergency. Consequently, campaigners have persistently demanded a more transparent policy to safeguard those suffering severe ill-health.
Liberal Democrat MP Zöe Franklin, who represents Guildford, pressed the minister on what measures the DWP is implementing to ensure terminally ill people aren’t unjustly hounded for repayments.
In a written inquiry, the MP questioned: “What steps her Department is taking to ensure that people with a serious or terminal diagnosis are not required to repay benefit overpayments that arose due to official error, particularly in cases in which the claimant notified the Department promptly that they believed they were receiving benefits to which they were not entitled.”
In response, Mr Western stated that the Department “will always strive to set affordable and sustainable repayment plans” and encouraged claimants to make contact if they cannot afford the proposed rate.
He continued: “People with a serious or terminal diagnosis can request that DWP cease recovery of their overpayment. This is a waiver request and details for claimants can be found in our Benefit overpayment recovery guide.”
Claimants who believe they have been wrongly asked to repay can also request a mandatory reconsideration or appeal the decision. Guidance on these rights is available on the government website.
The DWP maintains that all staff are trained to support vulnerable customers and that repayment plans are designed to be “affordable and sustainable.”
