DWP 'debt'

[altcr]

I need help,

 

 

I received the attached letter today. I did try to phone them but the system is down and they said they would phone me back-they didn't.

 

 

I have no idea what it could be about. In the address it has (SF) so I am thinking it may be a social fund payment still owing-but for that much? If this is the case then it must date back to 2007 when I was out of work.

 

 

I did get a similar letter back in 2012 saying I owed £1400. I repeatedly send recorded delivery letters asking for an explanation and they just ignored me and sent repeat threatening letters. Eventually it went to a DCA and I challenged it saying the 'debt' was in dispute. They sent it back to DWP and I didn not hear anything until today. Can anyone advise me what to do?

Edited July 13, 2016 by fkofilee
Attachment Thingy Removed

[Mr.P]

Your name is still showing, top right hand side under "Account Holder". Attachment has been unapproved.

 

It would be worth sending a SAR to the DWP for all information regarding this "debt". They do not charge for this, but I suspect their records will not go back as far as 2007.

[Guest]

give them another call just now, see what it's about. take notes of what's said.

[fkofilee]

Good Evening AltCr

 

Attachment has been removed for now. Please remove all personal details from attachment and then reupload.

Any issues please let me know.

[dx100uk]

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-request-for-personal-information

 

Free too

[altcr]

Thanks, do I send the standard SAR? or is there a special one for DWP?

[Bazooka Boo]

Here's the SAR https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-request-for-personal-information

 

At the VERY VERY least obtain proof of posting (free from the PO counter) But it is worth sending it recorded delivery.

 

Never ever discuss anything over the phone with the DWP, unless you are able to record the calls.

 

Deal with this lot in writing only, keep a diary of events, and ensure you maintain a diary.

 

I'll check what SF means.

[altcr]

Thank you.

[Bazooka Boo]

According to my list of DWP corporate abbreviations, SF is indeed Social Fund.

[Guest]

imo, a quick call to see what its about wont do any harm. as you seem to know roughly what it may concern and just need confirmation. just dont make any admissions. contemporaneous notes are admissible.

[altcr]

I am nervous, I will send my letter by recorded delivery but from experience they will simply ignore me. I have been googling and seen cases where they just went straight for an attachment of earnings. Just wondering if I can cc my letter to anyone else ? Give my letter a bit more clout?

[antone]

I am nervous, I will send my letter by recorded delivery but from experience they will simply ignore me. I have been googling and seen cases where they just went straight for an attachment of earnings. Just wondering if I can cc my letter to anyone else ? Give my letter a bit more clout?

 

They can't just "ignore" a SAR, though there have been cases where people have had to chase up the response. You have the legal right to make a SAR under the Data Protection Act, and as a Data Controller the DWP is obliged to respond.

 

You could also write to them less formally and ask for an explanation as to how the amount arose. This is the sort of letter that occasionally doesn't get answered, probably more through systemic incompetence than malice. The only person I could think of with regard to a CC would be your MP. Certainly, it's part of an MP's job to help constituents deal with government bureaucracy.

[Bazooka Boo]

Definitely CC your local MP. They need to keep being reminded of this departments incompetence.

 

STOP looking for problems that haven't arisen yet, get that SAR sent off, give them the 40 calender days in which to respond with the information and take it from there.

 

From experience, it may come through in dribs and drabs, so ensure you give them the maximum 40 days to respond, I think in total I had three very large A4 brown envelopes off them, and one of those was just a list of all the abbreviations they use.