New York State

Category Added in a WPeMatico Campaign

DWP sending out letters to claim back state pension overpayments to relatives who’ve lost loved ones

BEREAVED relatives have been getting letters in the post telling them they need to pay back their loved ones state pension.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is writing to families informing them they need to return pension payments made in error.

a pair of glasses sits in front of a gov.uk website
Alamy
Bereaved relatives have been getting letters in the post[/caption]

Former pensions minister Sir Steve Webb said these letters do not make clear that repaying the money is voluntary.

The DWP overpaid more than £500million of state pension and pension credit payments into accounts of those who had died over five years and has only recovered around half of it.

These direct payment after death (DPAD) overpayments happen if the DWP isn’t notified of the death in time to stop a payment.

Though these are treated as non-recoverable and aren’t actually enforceable by law, the DWP can request the money back as a voluntary payment.

It says it has a responsibility to taxpayers to attempt to claim it back.

Because the DWP makes pension payments four weeks in later, payments can end up being made for a period after the pensioner has died, Sir Steve said.

He said: “It’s not a blunder, it’s just a feature of the system.

“The question is, what should happen then?

“And the bit that struck me as odd is that DWP try to get the money back, but don’t have a legal right to insist.”

Sir Steve, who now is a partner at pension consultants LCP, sent a freedom of information request (FOI) to receive a copy of the letter that gets sent to reclaim overpayments.

He pointed out: “Nowhere does it say that this is voluntary.

The letter has an FAQ section but none of the questions in it are “do I have to do this?”, Sir Steve noted.

He added: “And the result, I fear, is that it’s a lottery, and the losers of the lottery are people who are intimidated or frightened or upset by a letter.

“You know, they’ve just been bereaved.

“They get a letter from the Government demanding hundreds of pounds back, and they just send it because they think they have to.

“They don’t want, you know, they perhaps fear a knock at the door kind of thing, whereas other people, who perhaps are aware they don’t have to pay it back or just choose not to, don’t.”

Either the law should state that everyone is obligated to pay the money back or the Government should stop requesting repayments altogether, Sir Steve explained.

He said: “This kind of halfway house of … we know that it’s not mandatory when we send the letters, but we’re not going to tell you…that doesn’t seem right to me.”

The DWP acknowledged that there is no legal obligation to repay such overpayments but said it has a responsibility to attempt to recover the funds.

A DWP spokesperson said: “It is not our intention to cause distress, however, we have a responsibility to taxpayers to recover overpayments. We acknowledge this is not always possible.

“Whilst there is no legal obligation to repay a debt of this type, we recognise some people will be willing to repay money to which there was no entitlement. We provide full contact details and encourage anyone with concerns to call us.”

It’s understood that no further letters are issued requesting payment if the DWP does not receive a response and that an initial recovery is attempted from the bank where the payment was made or from the deceased’s next of kin.

What are state pension errors?

STEVE Webb, partner at LCP and former Pensions Minister, explains what state pension errors are and how they can occur:

The way state pensions are worked out is so complicated that many thousands of people have been paid the wrong amount for years without even realising it.  

The amount of retirement pension you get usually depends on your National Insurance (NI) record. 

One big source of errors has been cases where NI records have been incorrect, particularly for years spent at home with children. 

This is a system known as ‘Home Responsibilities Protection’.

Alternatively, particularly for older pensioners, the amount you get can depend on the NI contributions made by your spouse. 

Errors have arisen where the Government has failed to adjust the pensions of married women when their husbands retired or failed to increase pensions when someone was bereaved and lost a husband or wife.

Although the Government has spent years trying to fix these problems, there are still many thousands of people – many of them older women – on the wrong pension.

If you have always thought that your pension seems low, then it is worth contacting the Pensions Service to ask them to check, especially if you spent time at home raising children or if you were widowed and your pension didn’t change when your spouse died.

How to complain if you think you’ve been treated unfairly by the DWP

If you believe that the DWP has acted in a way that has caused you harm or has treated you unfairly, you may be able to make a complaint.

You could make a complaint if mistakes have been made with your case, there were unreasonable delays, you haven’t been kept informed or you feel you’ve been treated poorly.

To make a complaint, you may need your National Insurance number, your full name, address and contact details, which benefit you are complaining about and what happened.

You’ll also need to explain how the situation has affected you and how you would like the DWP to put it right.

It’s a good idea to provide any evidence to back up your complaint, such as conflicting communications, missed timeframes or evidence of a mistake.

If the DWP agrees it’s made a mistake or treated you poorly it will put it right and may offer you compensation.

If it disagrees and you aren’t happy with the outcome, you can escalate your complaint to a senior manager who will call you to discuss your complaint.

You should then receive a “final response”. If you still don’t agree, you can contact an independent case examiner. You must do so within six months of getting your final response.

How does the state pension work?

AT the moment the current state pension is paid to both men and women from age 66 - but it's due to rise to 67 by 2028 and 68 by 2046.

The state pension is a recurring payment from the government most Brits start getting when they reach State Pension age.

But not everyone gets the same amount, and you are awarded depending on your National Insurance record.

For most pensioners, it forms only part of their retirement income, as they could have other pots from a workplace pension, earning and savings. 

The new state pension is based on people’s National Insurance records.

Workers must have 35 qualifying years of National Insurance to get the maximum amount of the new state pension.

You earn National Insurance qualifying years through work, or by getting credits, for instance when you are looking after children and claiming child benefit.

If you have gaps, you can top up your record by paying in voluntary National Insurance contributions. 

To get the old, full basic state pension, you will need 30 years of contributions or credits. 

You will need at least 10 years on your NI record to get any state pension. 

Read More »

Greedy Prince Andrew’s ‘ILLEGAL’ dodgy deals could bring down monarchy – he must be held to account, expert slams

GREEDY Prince Andrew’s dodgy deals could bring down the monarchy – and he must be held to account, an expert has slammed.

The disgraced Duke of York has come to a commercial agreement with Dutch-based firm Startupbootcamp (SBC) to use contacts he made from his Pitch@Palace initiative which could earn him millions.

Prince Andrew, Duke of York, departing an Easter service.
Getty
Prince Andrew is set to make millions in the deal[/caption]
Prince Andrew speaking at a Pitch@Palace event.
PA
The Duke of York speaks during a Pitch@Palace event[/caption]
Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park.
The Mega Agency
Andrew is under pressure to prove income streams for Royal Lodge[/caption]

Under the agreement, the Prince, 64, is paid for each deal SBC strikes in territories worldwide.

Royal author and former Home Office minister Norman Baker told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show what Andrew has done is “out of order” and may well be illegal.

He said the data the duke is selling off doesn’t belong to him personally, but to the entrepreneurs the scheme was supposed to benefit.

Mr Baker said: “For him now to sell it off, is disreputable, it’s improper, it maybe illegal, and I intend to file a complaint with the Information Commission to suggest he’s breaking data protection laws by using information given for one purpose for an entirely different one.”

The expert added: “Prince Andrew has been interested in Prince Andrew and nothing else he might have been representing, such as the Royal Family.

“I’m afraid he’s a sleazeball… and he needs to be held to account for that.”

Officials from SBC pitched the moneymaking idea to Buckingham Palace officials last summer before the deal with Andrew was agreed.

Weeks later, the King pulled his £1million annual funding for his brother, who he had been trying to evict from Royal Lodge.

But Andrew has remained at his Windsor home and Palace sources have said they received assurances about his funding streams.

A source said: “He will earn money from each deal SBC secures from his Pitch@Palace work and the windfall will help enable him to hold on to Royal Lodge.

“It is a way of exploiting the enviable business links he has secured over the years.”

This is the first time Andrew has been known to do any work since he stepped down as a working royal before being stripped of his titles by the late Queen three years ago.

Scandal-hit Andrew had stepped away from the Pitch@Palace scheme, which matched entrepreneurs with investors, after his “car crash” Newsnight interview over links to dead paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Mr Baker fumed: “Pitch@Palace was setup – and people engaged in that, companies, individuals, because they wanted to help start up businesses.

“They wanted to make sure entrepreneurs were assisted. They wanted to make sure the UK benefited as a country.

“It didn’t join up to give Andrew a source of private income.

“It was seen as a government, a public initiative. Buckingham Palace was used for this purpose.”

He added: “We can’t trust Prince Andrew and we haven’t been able to trust him for about 20 years, back to the time he was Britain’s Trade Envoy.

“It’s very clear from his engagements in that time – he was acting not for Britain, he was acting for himself.

“He was doing private deals on the side, getting commission from dodgy dictators for particular activities at that stage.”

Mr Baker referred to Andrew intending to take a two percent commission for deals which led to some people being “horrified”, before pulling out.

Kauan von Novack, CEO of Startupbootcamp said: “Our mission is to help entrepreneurs to create the change the world needs.

“We see immense value in the network built up by Pitch@Palace.”

A Palace source said: “Buckingham Palace officials have neither reviewed nor approved the details of any financial arrangements between the Duke or his advisers and any third party.”

The Duke of York was approached for comment.

Prince Andrew, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
Getty
Andrew was forced to step back royal duties in 2019[/caption]

Read More »

EastEnders legend SLAMS his ‘disappointing’ soap exit – and reveals if bosses asked him to return for 40th anniversary

AN EastEnders legend slammed his ‘disappointing’ soap exit – and revealed if bosses asked him to return for the 40th anniversary.

The show’s impressive milestone has seen a number of past characters brought back on-screen.

Man in tuxedo.
Instagram/thegrecs
EastEnders legend Michael Greco addressed his character’s exit from the soap[/caption]
Headshot of Michael Greco.
Alamy
Michael starred as Beppe di Marco from 1998 to 2002[/caption]
Headshot of Leon Lissek as Bruno from Eastenders.
News Group Newspapers
The actor revealed whether he’s been asked to return for the 40th anniversary[/caption]

Michael Greco played Beppe di Marco in the BBC soap from 1998 to 2002.

Over two decades on, the 54-year-old addressed his character’s low-key exit from Albert Square.

He told FruitySlots.com: “There were circumstances that prevented me from having a bigger send off, I won’t go into them as it’s water under the bridge.

“But I just left in a cab, didn’t I? I said goodbye to Lynn in the cafe and then had a packet of crisps and drove to Leicester. “

The Di Marco family were introduced to EastEnders as rivals to the Mitchell clan.

Alongside Beppe, the line-up also included brother Gianni (Marc Bannerman) and younger sisters Teresa (Leila Birch) and Nicky (Carly Hillman).

Of the family, it was Beppe who ultimately lasted the longest in Walford.

Elsewhere in his chat, Michael addressed whether he had ever been asked to return – especially in light of the 40th anniversary.

Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) and Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) are among the familiar faces who have reappeared.

Michael revealed: “I left over 20 years ago and there hasn’t been a day they’ve contacted my agent to ask me to come back.

“That’s fine. I don’t have any ties to any of the characters. There’s no link to bring me back.

“If the writers wanted you back they would create something.”

Continuing, Michael added: “One of the writers, Lilie Ferrari, who created the family originally, has always wanted the family to come back but it’s not going to happen. 

“They’ve brought back a lot of people for the 40th anniversary just to dip their toe in.

“I haven’t been asked so if it was going to happen, it would have. I don’t think it ever will.”

He concluded: “It’s one of those things that it would be great to go back to but I don’t see it happening.”

EastEnders continues on BBC One and iPlayer.

Marc Bannerman as Beppe di Marco in EastEnders.
BBC
Beppe was the last remaining member of his family in the soap[/caption]

EastEnders' 40th anniversary cameos so far

With the 40th anniversary of EastEnders coming up, fans are looking forward to some more incredible cameos from iconic faces of Walford's past. But who have we had so far?

Tracy-Ann Oberman – Oberman returned as Chrissie Watts, a character she last played nearly two decades ago.

Paul Bradley – Bradley returned as Nigel Bates, a character he last played over 25 years ago.

Micheal French – French returned as David Wicks, a character he last played two decades ago.

Patsy Palmer – Palmer returned as Bianca Jackson, a character she last played in 2019.

Coming up this year…

Ross Kemp – Kemp will reprise his role as Grant Mitchell, a character he first played in 1990. The BBC has described Kemp’s storyline as “explosive”. Kemp said it was an “absolute honour” to return to the show.

Other aspects of the 40th anniversary celebration include: A wedding between fan favorites, A huge explosion at the Queen Vic, and A live interactive episode.

Read More »

Poundland shoppers are going wild for adorable Jellycat dupes but they cost much less

POUNDLAND shoppers are going wild for adorable Jellycat dupes that cost much less than the originals.

The cute toys are attracting legions of fans and they’re set to be even cheaper from next week.

Pink plush toy with strawberries and a checkered hat.
Facebook
Poundland has launched a range of Jellycat dupes[/caption]
Green plush toy resembling a broccoli character.
Facebook
The toys come in a range of designs, similarly to the originals[/caption]
Plush mushroom toy.
Facebook
Shoppers have been raving about the designs, which include a mushroom and broccoli[/caption]

The soft toys are available in Poundland stores nationwide for £3 each.

But, from next week shoppers will be able to pick up two up for £5.

The toys come in a number of cute designs similarly to their original Jellycat counterparts.

These include popcorn buckets, mustard pots, mushrooms, sweetcorn ears and broccoli florets.

And, they all have names including Colin, Stan, Blake, Jenny, Heidi, Olsen, Erin, Gail and Bobby.

Shoppers have been going wild for the toys since pictures were posted to the Extreme Couponing and Bargains Facebook Group.

One said: “So cute!”

Another added: “I NEED THEM ALL.”

A third said: “I need every single one of these.”

Another said: “I want them all.”

The toys come in far cheaper than the originals. For example Jellycat’s broccoli toy is priced at £18 and its popcorn toy at £28.

Poundland is not the first retailer to stock a range of Jellycat dupes – Aldi, Lidl and Tesco have all unveiled their own collections in recent weeks.

Aldi’s set of six soft toys have been available in stores from January 30 for £3.99.

Meanwhile Lidl has launched a £2.99 Jellycat dupe in popular designs including a croissant.

And Tesco launched a special Valentine’s Day range with prices starting from £4 each.

The dupes come after British toy company, Jellycats, swept the internet by storm with people paying hundreds of pounds for just one.

Multiple social media creators have posted hauls from the store with thousands of posts under the relevant hashtag on TikTok and Instagram.

Its line of “vivacious” vegetable toys were even endorsed by Kylie Jenner back in 2020.

What to watch out for when buying toys online

HERE are the British Toy and Hobby Association's top tips for buying toys online:

  1. Shop early. Don’t leave purchases to the last minute rush which might leave you fewer options of where to buy from.
  2. Check out third-party sellers. Look for sellers you recognise and trust. Be cautious of retailers you don’t know and do your research checking reviews and where they’re based.
  3. Go for branded toys. Try and choose a branded toy as then you can compare it to the manufacturer’s own website to check it’s legit.
  4. Be careful of going for the cheapest price. If something looks too good to be true, it probably is.
  5. Check if there are any age restrictions. Make sure you give suitable toys to children based on their age.
  6. Check reviews carefully. Some reviews are fake so look carefully at the comments.
  7. Stay with children at first. When your child opens a toy for the first time, stay with them and check for faults, detachable small parts, access to stuffing and loose or accessible batteries or magnets.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

Read More »