Has anyone else noted that the Bradford Debt Centre for the DWP are advising customers with a benefit overpayment that their rate of repayment is to be dramatically increased. I have had two clients within the last couple of weeks. One has been advised that her repayments have been doubled, the other that a repayment rate of £5 (which she has been paying since 1998) is to be increased to £24.71 per week, which will be deducted from her IB.
When I have phoned Bradford I have been advised that the repayment rate should have been steadily increased in line with benefit entitlement (they appear to have taken over the repayment issue from a local office). I have written to them to advise that this has not happened and that our clients are set to suffer as a consequence. I have yet to receive a reply.
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