§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the total identified number of cases of overpayment of all forms of benefits in(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1993–94; how many of these cases of overpayment are due to (i) departmental or agency errors and (ii) inaccurate information supplied by applicants; and what is his policy on repayment of benefits overpaid in respect of (i) and (ii). [12843]
§ Mr. Roger EvansSuch information as is available regarding the number and cause of overpayments is set out in the table.
Year Total number Customer error Other 1993–94 818,073 405,984 412,089 1994–95 996,477 590,218 406,259 The category "other" includes small overpayments where recovery is not pursued, and abandoned cases. Such cases may not be caused through official error. It is not possible to disaggregate the information, except at disproportionate cost. However, the majority of these will be official error overpayments.
In cases where the overpayment is caused by misrepresentation or failure to disclose a material fact, recovery is sought whenever it is appropriate to do so. Where no acceptable offer to repay is forthcoming, recovery is effected either, where the person remains in receipt of benefit, by deductions from benefit or, if benefit is no longer in payment, through voluntary repayment or civil proceedings. Where an overpayment has been caused by official error whether recovery is sought depends on how the error arose. In appropriate cases voluntary recover is sought. Recovery is pursued further only where it is cost effective to do so and there is a right in law of recovery.