From today, benefit claimants who make a mistake on their forms that leads to an overpayment can be fined £50 for it.. and before you ask, no, if the DWP make a mistake they aren't going to give you £50.
The new rules state:
A new Civil Penalty of £50 is being introduced for claimants who incur an overpayment caused by:
A truly spiteful move. As the piece says, it is hard to see this as anything other than a cynical revenue raising exercise.
Oct 01, 2012 @ 17:13:52
Over the years the DWP have made more mistake then I’ve ever made, yet when I helped down at the local charity, people especially the confused or the people who do not know the system will make mistakes especially with some of the most daft and complicated forms.
But nothing surprises me anymore.