Stuck in a loop!

Hi Dave, lulusmf

Is Debt Management part of, or independent of the DWP?

Derek

You are entitled to be informed of the person's Christian name and surname when dealing with employees of the DWP over the telephone, for the very reason you have stated.

Maybe this lady by declining to give her surname had something to hide?

Derek4 wrote:

Hi Dave, lulusmf

Is Debt Management part of, or independent of the DWP?

Derek

Its part of the DWP a search finds this

www.dwp.gov.uk/other-specialists/debt-management/#cos

they are one of the better parts of DWP an will check if you really owe the money and know better than normal offices what what

Crazydiamond wrote:

You are entitled to be informed of the person's Christian name and surname when dealing with employees of the DWP over the telephone, for the very reason you have stated.

Maybe this lady by declining to give her surname had something to hide?

Clearly she does. Her surname!

originaldave wrote:

Derek4 wrote:

Hi Dave, lulusmf

Is Debt Management part of, or independent of the DWP?

Derek

Its part of the DWP a search finds this

www.dwp.gov.uk/other-specialists/debt-management/#cos

they are one of the better parts of DWP an will check if you really owe the money and know better than normal offices what what

Thanks Dave.

It is quite ironic that debt management is being provided by, in many cases, the very organization that causes it!

Personally I would not trust an organization that's part of the DWP to decide if I owe them money but seek independent advice instead.

The webpage states at the top 'Our job is to recover social security benefit that has been overpaid because of a mistake or fraud. We also recover outstanding Social Fund loans and Housing Benefit overpayments that need to be repaid.'

That sounds to me as though they aim to manage the debt, but not in the claimants interest.

Hi all
Thanks for all your helpful posts - as ever! I bit the bullettoday and rang DWP to see what was going on. The guy at the call centre was as baffled as me, he confirmed that the notes said the overpayment was wrong, that they had repaid me what I was owed and he couldnt understand why I had received the letters. He promised to get someone from the Greenock office who deals with my postcode to ring me. About 2 hours later, a really helpful person rang me back. It seems thatthe updated financial info I had to send them back in May which I did through my local jobcentre was never received! If the Jobcentre cant find the right place what chance have we got!! A stop had been put on my benefit too from next week which would just have finished me off at the moment. The Greenock lady then rang the Jobcentre, arranged for them to see me this afternoon, photocopy and then fax the info directly to Greenock. Jobcentre did this, then rang Greenock, confirmed all received safely and that they now have all the correct info. Greenock office are also looking into the overpayment letter too and will let me know asap what the answer is there. This has been so so worrying for me as I am due back in hospital next week for more surgery and wont have the use of my arms for about 6 weeks whilst I recover.
I am so angry about the whole situation. Even the DWP staff told me today that I had not had the service I deserve and should take action. Local CAB is unable to make appointments at present due to workload and I'll be unable to do anything while Im recovering. Grateful for your thoughts on next actions though. Please do not suggest MP, he was totally uninterested until I mentioned that I used to work for a number of Labour Ministers in the last government. Even though he wrote to DWP his letter produced no results. I feel I should make an official complaint. How would I do this? My family and friends thought my retirement on ill health would bring me the peace and quiet I need - what a joke! I dread every post that comes through the door and have almost reached the point of giving up on things, something I never thought I'd do. Still, I'll keep trying while I can.