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Sample Letter

DWP overpayment suspend or reduce repayment request (sole name)

Use this letter when asking the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) if they will suspend recovery of a Universal Credit overpayment or reduce the amount being taken from your Universal Credit. A benefit overpayment may also include a Universal Credit Advance payment if you are no longer claiming Universal Credit.

A debt may be suspended, or deductions reduced, if you can show that the rate of recovery will cause you or your family hardship. This hardship could be based on:

  • welfare grounds;
  • health grounds; or
  • financial grounds.

You will need to send evidence to support a suspension or reduction in the recovery rate on welfare or health grounds. This could include:

  • showing exactly how recovery of the debt would have an very negative impact on the welfare of you and your family; and
  • a letter from a medical professional showing that your ill health is being made worse or caused by financial hardship. For example, a GP, consultant, psychiatric nurse, support worker or welfare advisor might write a letter for you.

You will need to give evidence to support a suspension or reduction in the recovery rate on financial grounds.

  • You will need to send a copy of your budget sheet to show that the deduction amount is causing you financial hardship.
  • Give some specific examples in the letter that show the difficulties the deductions are causing. This could be that you are having to cut back or are unable to afford essentials such as energy or food. It could be that you are unable to pay your rent in full and could be at risk of eviction. Try to give as much detail as you can.

If you have no money available, it is reasonable to ask for a suspension of the recovery initially. If you do have some money available, then you can make this offer of payment.

You can choose to send a letter in your own name or in joint names. You may have a debt in joint names, or want to write to the DWP together because you have worked out a joint budget.

  • Fill in your contact details, account number and any extra information you want to include in the grey shaded areas.
  • Today’s date will be added automatically.
  • Sign each letter and enclose a copy of your budget if needed.

Letter in joint names

You can choose to send a letter in your own name or in joint names. You may have a debt in joint names, or want to write to your creditors together because you have worked out a joint budget.

Change to joint version
You need to include the organisation name.
Name of the organisation you are writing toInclude the name of the person or creditor you are writing to.
You need to include their address.
Their address line 1Make sure you include the full address for the person or organisation. Don't forget the post code.
Their address line 2
Their address line 3
You need to include their postcode.
Their postcodeDon't forget their postcode.
You need to include your address.
Your address line 1Make sure you include your full address.
Your address line 2
Your address line 3
You need to include your postcode.
Your postcodeDon't forget your postcode.

24th December 2024

Date
Account No:
This field is required.
Your account or reference numberYou will find your account or reference number on any paperwork from the DWP.
I am writing to tell you that I am getting advice from Business Debtline on dealing with my financial situation.
I am aware that whilst deductions can be no more than 15% or 25% of the standard allowance, there is no minimum amount that can be taken.
The Benefit Overpayment Recovery Guidance states that:
‘where a debtor is unable to repay the overpayment or penalty at the agreed rate there are a range of hardship options available including temporary suspension of recovery, reduction in recovery rate or in exceptional cases write-off of the debt.’
This field is required.
Include a paragraph outlining the special circumstances you have that you want the DWP to take into accountsuch as illness, disability, age or bereavement. Include evidence of any medical condition if possible, or supporting evidence from a doctor, social worker, mental health professional and so on. Also include information about why your financial situation is unlikely to improve.
My initial request is that deductions are suspended until my situation improves. If it is not possible to suspend recovery, then I suggest an affordable repayment amount of
I enclose a copy of our budget sheet which shows that this is all I can afford.
I enclose the following evidence to support my request.
This field is required.
Include a paragraph outlining outlining the evidence you have provided .textarea
Please reply to this letter in writing, confirming whether recovery of my overpayment has been suspended. or my new repayment rate. Include any other information you feel would be relevant or helpful to me.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully
You need to include your name(s).
Include your full name