Officials 'scam' recently bereaved with demand for pension payment return

MINISTERS have been accused of a "heartless scam operation" that frightens bereaved people into bolstering the Department for Work and Pensions' coffers.

- By Steph Spyro

The DWP has been writing to families informing them they need to return state pension payments that were made in error.

These overpayments after death can happen if the DWP is not notified of the death in time to stop the money being sent.

Though these are not enforceable by law the DWP can request the money back as a voluntary payment.

But Dennis Reed, director of over 60s campaign group Silver Voices said: "This a scandalous DWP policy, using the dates of death certificates to try and screw a couple of weeks' pension payments from grieving relatives, at a time when funeral costs are soaring.

"Because there is no legal liability on relatives to repay part of a monthly pension, this is a heartless scam operation which must be stopped immediately."

Phil Ellaway, 68, received a letter following the death of his wife in October aged 66.

The DWP had claimed that they incorrectly paid £537.20.

Phil said: "My initial reaction was, by the tone of the letter, I had done something wrong or illegal."

He contacted the department who failed to tell him why their debt centre had been in touch with him despite no previous communication.