Crisis Loan - Repaying it back after 6 years.

[MoMoneyMoProblems]

Hi, i hope this is in the correct section.

I recieved a letter asking me to repay a crisis loan i was given in april 2000, iirc they took some payments from some of my giro's shortly after i recieved the loan but not enough to clear the debt (which i was not informed of).

My problem is i have been in fulltime employment for the last ten years and have at no point been contacted by the social.

They made no effort to recover the money when i started employment in september 2000 and could have easily contacted me if they wanted to.

Can they just send me a letter after 10 years asking for the money? The lady i spoke to at the DWP said they could recover the money "whenever they want", i thought after 6 years it was classed as Statute Barred?

 

Thanks,

Dan.

Edited July 22, 2010 by MoMoneyMoProblems
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[cerberusalert]

i thought after 6 years it was classed as statute barred?

It is although the DWP have partial exemption in that they can still recover the monies owed from any future benefits you may claim but they cannot now take any legal action. Send whoever is begging for your money this; http://www.consumerforums.com/resources/templates-library/86-debt-collectors/599-letter-sent-when-debt-is-statute-barred

[alfwithhair]

The Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) has 6 years to take action through the courts to recover benefit overpayments and social fund loans. This time starts running from the date of the final decision made on the overpayment and from when the social fund loan was due to be paid. But the DWP are still allowed to make deductions from your benefit for a debt over 6 years old as they don’t need to go to court to do this. This applies to overpayments of benefits such as income support, job seekers allowance, pension credit, housing benefit, council tax benefit and paying back social fund loans.

[MARTIN3030]

Good info.

Will move this into benefits forums.