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Overpayment appeal successful but deductions still being made
Hi all,
Wonder if someone can help, not sure what further action to take.
Will try and explain this unusual case briefly - 2017 husbands SRP increased, Cl advise all relevant departments of the increase. However, had no evidence of calling the DWP. However, Housing Benefit department backed Cl’s claims by providing evidence (letter) that she informed them of the change and that the department itself advised the DWP.
Cl requested a mandatory reconsideration against the decision, thankfully she kept copy of this. No correspondence from the DWP, following several letters , Cl was advised to appeal to the Tribunal without mandatory reconsideration notice.
Tribunal wrote to DWP on several occasions asking them to prepare submission for the appeal to be considered, nothing. Both parties were put on notice to attend hearing, Cl attended, no representative from the DWP. Tribunal were not happy to say the least!
The appeal was allowed.
My question is, the DWP have ignored all correspondence from Cl and the Tribunal. At the beginning the Cl asked the DWP to hold off on recovery of the OP until outcome of the appeal, however, they ignored this request and proceeded to deduct £11.00 p/w from ESA, this is still being recovered to date.
As the appeal was successful the OP is not recoverable. However, the Tribunal has not instructed the DWP, it has not concluded the DWP must now pay the money back. Cl is not sure the Tribunal were aware that the OP was already being recovered. Cl has had no success in corresponding with the DWP to date, so what chance does she have of asking them to stop deductions and refunding the amount taken so far.
How does the Cl stand legally, any suggestion on how to proceed?