Sorry Elliot, I didn’t think to ask that. But a response has now come back from FOI which states:
“When a DLA or PIP claim is terminated on the system, a notification will automatically be broadcast to the systems for ESA, JSA, Income Support and Guaranteed Pension Credit if those systems have an active interest in the same
National Insurance number. These broadcast only advise that a claim termination has been recorded and do not provide any additional personal details.
This broadcast will trigger a Work Available Report (WAR) to be produced to notify the benefit sections for ESA, JSA, Income Support and Guaranteed Pension Credit to take relevant action on the claim. Please note that the term
‘system’ refers to the computer system and the term ‘section’ refers to the benefit section or team.”
So that is clear as day, income related benefits are automatically notified when a PIP/DLA claim is terminated, so all of the overpayments of SDP that have arisen are not recoverable. Which rather begs the question as to why DWP continues to seek recovery and sometimes apply Civil Penalties whilst knowing full well that it is not lawfully able to do so?
I’m going to write to local MPs about this and try to get some traction for a campaign to stop DWP from continuing this practice.
Anyone else with any ideas or ability to influence, please feel free…