Those in receipt of Government benefits have reportedly been underpaid some £2.6billion collectively by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), after recent figures showed underpayments of 1.2% in the year to April 2022.
However, while some claimants were short-changed others had the opposite issue - with some in total being overpaid by £8.6billion in the same period - the highest rate ever.
The Mirror reports that underpayments and overpayments happen due to mistakes by DWP, councils, HMRC, fraud and claimants making errors.
Read more: Brits warned their Universal Credit may be cut by DWP for six reasons - here's why
Which benefits were underpaid?
DWP underpaid £410million in Universal Credit in the period, but overpaid £5.9billion. It underpaid state pensioners £540million, but also overpaid £110million.
Housing Benefit was overpaid by £950million, but underpaid by £210million.
Pension Credit was overpaid by £350million, but there were £100million of underpayments too.
What happens if you are underpaid benefits?
Normally, DWP will spot the problem and pay you what you are owed as a lump sum, but if you think you have been underpaid and the DWP has not contacted you or corrected the issue, you can contact them to enquire.
For example, Universal Credit claimants can call a helpline on 0800 328 5644 or use their online account.
If you think you have not had the correct state pension amount, you should contact the Pensions Service arm of the DWP directly. You can call on 0800 731 0469, but be aware that the lines are only open from 9.30am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday.
What happens if you are overpaid benefits?
If you have been overpaid benefits, the DWP can recover any extra from you.
If the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has paid you too much Universal Credit, it will take back the money from your future payments. Normally this is in the region of a 15% to 25% reduction each month.
You can ask if they'll let you not pay back the overpayment - but they don't need to say yes. This is called "exercising their discretion not to recover an overpayment" and is down to the discretion of the DWP.
Have you ever been over or underpaid by the DWP?
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