Client requested to attend an Interview under caution in November 2009 -in relation to some paid work he had been doing. Money suspended whilst investigation in process.

January 2010 lump sum of money enters clients bank account - client thinks 'whoopee' all sorted.

Client then receives O/P decision letter dated 2nd Feb.

Surely this is an 'official error' and therefore non recoverable?

Cheers

Jackie

I have to say I thought the whole point of suspending benefit was to PREVENT possible overpayments when entitlement was in question.

Did he get any sort of letter around the time of the payment?

Hello ariadne2

Sorry for the delay in replying.

Client never received a letter explaining what the monies paid was for.

Rang the Fraud Team, who advised that the notes state that they accept that the client was doing 'permitted work' during the whole of the O/p period, but that because he was in receipt of IS (sickness based) that he would only get the £20.00 disregard.

Fraud officer said that he will apply for the O/p calcs from debt recovery section, & try to find out who issued the lump sum payment.

We will wait and see.....

Regards Jackie