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    Overpayments of universal credit

    All payments of universal credit are recoverable and can be taken from ongoing entitlement.

    This content applies to Scotland

    Universal credit - overpayments

    An overpayment of universal credit is an amount which 'may be recovered by the Secretary of State' by virtue of specified legislation. [1] This means any amount paid in excess of entitlement. [2] All overpayments are recoverable, including those arising from official error, although the DWP has the discretion not to recover. [3]

    Regulations make provision for recovery by means of deductions from benefits and by means of a 'Direct Earnings Attachment'. [4]

    Last updated: 18 December 2020

    Footnotes

    • [1]

      reg 2 Social Security (Overpayments and Recovery) Regulations 2013 SI 2013/384. The legislation specified is s.71ZB(1) Social Security Administration Act 1992.

    • [2]

      s.71ZB(1) Social Security Administration Act 1992.

    • [3]

      See Para 5.74 - 5.76, Chap 8 and Annex 5, Benefit Overpayment Recovery Guide, DWP, May 2017.[4]Social Security (Overpayments and Recovery) Regulations 2013 SI 2013/384 as amended by Social Security (Overpayments and Recovery) Amendment Regulations 2015 SI 2015/499.

    • [4]

      [3] See Para 5.74 - 5.76, Chap 8 and Annex 5, Benefit Overpayment Recovery Guide, DWP, May 2017.Social Security (Overpayments and Recovery) Regulations 2013 SI 2013/384 as amended by Social Security (Overpayments and Recovery) Amendment Regulations 2015 SI 2015/499.

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