Overview
- DWP minister Andrew Western said people with a serious or terminal diagnosis can ask the department to stop recovering an overpayment through a waiver, which is only granted in compelling, exceptional circumstances.
- The department recovered £2.7 billion in overpaid benefits in 2023–24, underscoring the scale of current enforcement activity.
- Official guidance tells claimants to report suspected overpayments or changes in circumstances, warning that failure to do so could mean repayment and a £50 penalty.
- Claimants who are told to repay can request a mandatory reconsideration and challenge decisions through an appeal.
- The DWP says staff are trained to support vulnerable customers and will aim for affordable repayment plans, though charities and some MPs warn that repayment demands can cause severe distress.