DWP minister confirms terminally ill claimants face benefit repayment demands despite official errors, with £2.7bn recovered in 2023-24
The Government has said that individuals fighting serious or terminal illnesses might face demands for benefit overpayments – even when the mistakes stem from official errors. This news came via a written parliamentary statement from Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) minister Andrew Western.
Benefit overpayments continue to spark controversy, with the DWP recovering an eye-watering £2.7 billion in overpaid benefits throughout 2023-24 – money incorrectly distributed to recipients. Critics argue that some of Britain’s most vulnerable citizens, including those with terminal diagnoses, experience needless distress from repayment demands.
As thousands of terminally ill recipients are potentially affected each year, charities warn that even small repayment requests can prove “devastating” for households already facing a medical crisis. Therefore, campaigners have repeatedly called for clearer policies to protect those enduring severe ill- health.
Liberal Democrat MP Zöe Franklin, representing Guildford, challenged the minister regarding what steps the DWP is taking to ensure terminally ill individuals aren’t unfairly pursued for repayments.
In a written parliamentary question, the MP asked: “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.”
Responding to the enquiry, Mr Western explained that the Department “will always strive to set affordable and sustainable repayment plans” and urged those struggling with payments to get in touch if the proposed rate is unmanageable, reports the Mirror.
He added: “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.”
Those who feel they’ve been incorrectly asked to repay can also seek a mandatory reconsideration or challenge the decision through appeal. Information on these rights can be accessed via the government website.
The DWP insists that all personnel receive training to assist vulnerable claimants and that repayment arrangements are structured to be “affordable and sustainable”.
