10 yr old debt

[julesw1803]

I have just received a letter from the DWP deptpartment for work and pensions, telling me that i owe them 100.00 for overpayment of family credit from over 10 yrs ago ! I had no idea that I owed them anything and this is the first I've heard of it in all this time. Can they still ask me for this after 10 yrs ?

[bednobs]

yes, debts like this, to the government never become statute barred, so they can ask you for it. Ask them to prove it though

[themas]

No - it is statute barred. But the debt still exists & they can still chase you for it.

Write to them (keep a copy) telling them you know nothing about this, deny all liability & require them to give you proof that you owe it if they wish to pursue it.

[bednobs]

i bow to themas superior knowledge. ignore my answer

[bednobs]

except thinking about it, they can take this debt back out f any benefit payments you may be getting now or in the future (including pension), and they dont have to go to court to do it, or in fact tell you (i think) so yes, they can still ask you for it but cant take you to court for it
*crosses fingers in the hope that is right*

[kempie]

The Limitation Act 1980 is irrelevant in this case precisely because DWP can reclaim the debt from any future payment you expect them to make to you.

[factor-fiction]

Yes, DWP debts don't become statute barred.
If it's a problem offer to pay back �1 a week but if you receive other benefits they may just deduct it automatically

[stonekicker]

good luck with all of the above. two years ago, housing benefit said we owed them over �1200 from 7 years previously. we tried to query it and appeal it, but were told (by their lawyers and statutory processes etc.) that the timeframe for appeal the decision had lapsed (it is 6 months), but we were only made aware 7 years after the fact and never got any sort of explaination from them either. we only paid up after they started court proceedings and they wanted the whole lot in one go, too. in answer to your question, yes they can ask for it back, no there probably isn't anything you can do about it and you'll be lucky to not pay it in a lump sum. the govt. agencies are bas****s when you owe them money, but when its the other way round, they don't want to know!

[julesw1803]

thanks for all your feedback,looks like i'm stuck with it, the cheeky so + so's

[themas]

No you are not necessarily stuck with it. You say you had no idea you owed them anything. You must not assume that they are right - they are liable to error, just like any other human activity.

As I said before, ask in writing for details & proof that you owe the money. Tell them you won't pay anthing unless they do. If they can't provide it, then if they try to get it back by deduction from any benefits you are getting (& they don't do that without notifying you first) then appeal against their decision to do so.

[julesw1803]

thanks for your advice i'm going to do that !