Thousands of people who claimed Universal Credit during the pandemic are being asked to pay back money to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The UK Government asking claimants to return the money as part of plans to retrieve approximately £500 million in benefits payment, according to The Independent. Around 125,000 claimants so far have been ordered to pay back money they received during the pandemic, with about approximately 14,500 appealing against the decision.
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The UK Government department is currently carrying out retrospective evidence checks.
As reported by Bristol Live, among the reasons given to people for why they need to return the money include missing phone calls and messages.
The DWP paused face-to-face evidence checks while the pandemic was at its worst, and is now working through an accumulation of claims in order to properly collect evidence. It stated that claimants who don't "provide evidence/fully engage in the process” may be told to pay the money back.
Labour's shadow work and pensions secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: "It's shameful that ministers are pursuing what could be thousands of people for debt they do not owe, in the middle of a cost of living crisis. Instead of parading around supporting their chosen leadership candidates, ministers in the DWP should be focused on their day jobs and solving the pressing problems in their department."
Across the first year of the pandemic, the amount of Universal Credit claimants in the UK multiplied by two, rising to 6 million in January 2021. During this time, the UK Government also launched a temporary £20 weekly uplift to the benefit.
Data from the DWP reveals that Universal Credit fraud overpayment rate are the highest they have ever been, rising from 6 per cent in 2019 to 13 per cent in 2022. This equates to around £5.3 billion lost.
Lawyer at Child Poverty Action Group Claire Hall stated: "It’s very unfair on claimants that they’ve been given these debts and told they owe this money with no proper basis. It’s hugely stressful for people, especially with the timing of it all, when people are just recovering from the pandemic and getting back on their feet."
A spokesperson for the DWP commented: "During the pandemic, we rightly prioritised ensuring the welfare safety net reached those suddenly in difficulty. We have been contacting claimants via their preferred contact method to discuss aspects of claims we need to verify, and given them two weeks to respond.
"If we are belatedly provided evidence proving entitlement, we will reinstate benefit and cancel any debt straight away."
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