DWP error could see thousands of claimants owed £5,000 payout - check eligibility

The mistake meant astir 15,000 Brits mislaid retired connected £180 a month.

Thousands of individuals connected Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits could beryllium entitled to important amounts of money, owed to a mistake. Those connected disablement benefits mightiness beryllium successful for a £5,000 boost from the DWP.

This applies to anyone affected by an mistake during the power to Universal Credit earlier January 2019, which resulted successful them losing retired connected Severe Disability Premiums (SDP) and Enhanced Disability Premiums (EDP). The blunder, perchance decreasing their income by up to £180 monthly, is thought to impact astir 15,000 claimants who moved to Universal Credit earlier the chopped disconnected date.

Speaking to BirminghamLive, quality rights solicitor Ryan Bradshaw, from Leigh Day, explained more. He said: "I americium gladsome to person settled this assertion connected behalf of my clients."

"However, determination are thousands of others who person been likewise affected who person not been successful a presumption to bring a assertion similar this. They excessively volition person experienced the nonaccomplishment of £180 a period aft they were moved from bequest benefits connected to cosmopolitan recognition successful the years earlier January 2019."

Bradshaw noted the sizeable effect connected the individuals' well-being, remarking: "They excessively volition person suffered unnecessary stress." On the urgent request for a compensation scheme, helium added: "A suitable scheme, compensating each the radical who person endured favoritism astatine the hands of the DWP, ought to beryllium urgently enactment successful place. The mistakes made present should ne'er beryllium repeated."

To interaction Universal Credit, claimants tin log successful to their online account oregon telephone the helpline connected 0800 328 5644. Those who are deaf, hard of hearing, oregon person code difficulties tin usage the textphone work connected 0800 328 1344, oregon utilise Relay UK by dialling 18001 followed by 0800 328 5644.

Alternatively, claimants tin entree the British Sign Language (BSL) video relay work from a computer. Welsh speakers tin telephone 0800 328 1744, Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm.

A DWP spokesperson stated: "Following this ruling the section has begun the process of compensating affected claimants."