DWP warning for overpaid benefits and why you should not ignore them

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has warned claimants of what they should do if they are overpaid on their benefits.

For whatever reason, some benefit claimants can sometimes receive more money than what they are entitled to. If an overpayment is made, then the DWP will start a process of benefit overpayment recovery which aims to settle the debt as quickly as possible.

The government department states that it classifies two groups of overpayments: where recovery is specifically provided for under legislation and those where recovery is not provided under the legislation, but the Secretary of State may seek recovery under common law.

Read more: Millions of households to see series of benefit payments rise from tomorrow

The government states on its website: "The Secretary of State has an obligation to protect public funds and to ensure that, wherever possible, overpayment and penalty debt is recovered. Overpayment recovery is subject to various legislative limitations and safeguards.

"It is DWP policy to recover all debt where it is reasonable and cost effective to do so. Debts should be recovered as quickly and cost effectively as possible without causing undue financial hardship to debtors."

Here's everything you need to know if you fall into overpayment...

According to Citizens Advice, being overpaid does not automatically mean that you will be suspected or found guilty of benefit fraud, especially if you were unaware of what you were doing. However, you should expect the DWP to take action to recover the overpayment.

Sometimes, you may be asked to pay a civil penalty if something you did caused the overpayment, for example, if you gave the DWP the wrong information or didn't say anything when you were