Social fund debt 1994 UK, now living Northern Ireland

[obiter dictum]

Last year the social fund contacted me and stated i owed £500 from 1997-98 in the UK.

I did the usual SAR, Dispute etc and they were unable to substantiate the debt.

They still started taking £15.00 out of my ESA every two weeks despite my objections.

 

After transferring to Northern Ireland and my ESA is back up and running, the Northern Ireland Social fund has sent me a letter. They state i owe the social fund £111.00 and must pay it back at £7.19 a week

 

Northern Ireland has not recognised the Governments welfare reforms so we still have the social security office, not the DWP.

 

This is interesting

The say i can pay it by cheque in one lump sum, in cash, postal order, or standing order and first payment to reach them within 7 days.

 

They also asked me to sign the letter saying I AGREE I OWE THE SOCIAL FUND THIS MONEY.

 

My question has to be why they are being so nice about it?

Why have they not just started taking the deductions from my ESA like the DWP did without my consent?

[obiter dictum]

There must be specific powers elsewhere in legislation for recovery of money owed to the Social Fund via deduction from income related benefits.

 

I have found it:

 

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1992/5/section/78/enacted