Our debt advice may be different depending on the country you live in. Select your country below to ensure you get the right information.
This letter is relevant in England, Wales and Scotland.
Use this letter when asking the DWP to consider suspending a Universal Credit overpayment recovery, or reducing the amount you pay.
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:
You will need to send evidence to support a suspension or reduction in the recovery rate on welfare or health grounds. This could include:
You will need to give evidence to support a suspension or reduction in the recovery rate on financial grounds.
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.
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.
8th February 2025 [today’s date]*