The Department of Work and Pensions has come under fire from a security guard who got a “ridiculous” letter requiring him to pay back 2p.
The letter was sent on Tuesday to Damien Dove, 53, who lives in West Rainton, close to Sunderland.
When he was on low income and claiming half rent more than three years ago, the only time he had ever claimed any assistance, he was told that there had been an overpayment of a housing benefit.
The letter also warned that if Mr. Dove didn’t contact the DWP by August 29 requesting payment, “we will consider taking further action.”
Even though Mr. Dove originally believed someone could have been pulling a joke on him, this prompted him to phone the DWP.
Until I got in touch with them, Mr. Dove said, he assumed it was a prank. They would have paid extra to send the letter to me.
The letter states that more action would be taken if I don’t pay, which they took pretty seriously over the phone.
The next time he visits the bank, he plans to settle the debt with a check.
He said that the contact centre told him that he “owed a debt thus had to pay it” when he recommended that the money he owes be deducted from his taxes.
I was shocked when I saw the letter, and I thought, “Are these people laughing?” Mr. Dove said.
“I have never heard of someone receiving a letter seeking 2p; it’s absurd.”
It strikes me as pitiful.
“I haven’t received social security benefits in at least 10 years.
I’ve worked pretty much my whole life, with the exception of a few months, and I feel like I’m being penalised for doing this because I received a benefit for one week.”
“This was a debt payable to Mr. Dove’s local council,” a Department of Work and Pensions spokeswoman stated.
“Regulations compel us to collect such arrears when asked to do so, and the automated nature of our systems the notice was issued without agent involvement.”
“We assisted Mr. Dove by proposing a free alternative to his preferred payment method, which would have been subject to a fee.”