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.

Haven't come across that but have had a run of cases where we've appealed against overpayment decisions and Bradford have commenced recovery action whilst the appeal is pending. In the last case I had, Bradford also refused to act on my request to suspend recovery on the basis that I had not supplied explicit authority from my client to contact them (although I am listed as rep for the appeal and had forwarded them a copy of the completed GL24 & acknowledgement letter from local DWP).

the maximum compulsory recovery rates are prescribed. (reg 16 (4) Payments on account etc.1988)

lower repayments may be made by agreement.

it may not be worth dealing with the Bradford people, and deal with the office which gives overpayments decisions and appeals. ask them to instruct Bradford. it might be worthwhile obtaining under FOI what instructions the DWP has given debt recovery regarding SS law.