DWP handing out 'special payments' after mistake, check if you're eligible

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) admitted to a series of admin mistakes that resulted in thousands of people receiving less money than they were entitled to.

The organisation is now planning to compensate those affected by handing out a 'special payments' to them.

The DWP wasn't able to estimate the average figure of the payout but said that it depends on each individual claimant.

The scheme will run ‘as long as there are applications’. Here are the details on who is entitled to extra cash and how to claim it.

Meanwhile, thousands receiving the housing benefits are warned about a major change in a way they are paid.

Brits on Universal Credit are also urged to inform the DWP of their travel plans this summer or risk getting their payments stopped.

This common condition could qualify you for £441 per month in extra support.

Here is who is entitled to a ‘special payment’ by DWP

People who were advised by DWP to claim a different benefit to what they should've claimed resulting in them receiving less money are now entitled to a ‘special payment’.

The government agency estimates that the number of those affected reaches thousands.

DWP recommended these claimants get Income Support, while Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is what they should have applied for instead.

The 'special payment' compensation is meant for people who are still getting Income Support and claimed it on or after January 31, 2011, because of a disability or health condition or were not getting Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA) when they applied.

If you have moved onto income-related ESA or Universal Credit, you will be eligible if:

• You made a claim for Income Support on or after January 31, 2011, because of a disability or health condition,
• You were not getting Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance when you made that Income Support claim
• You had a Work Capability Assessment when you moved from Income Support to income-related ESA or Universal Credit and you were found to have ‘limited capability for work’ or ‘limited capability for work and work-related activity’

Read more:

⋙ DWP announces major change for some claiming benefits: Check if you’re affected

⋙ Here is what you should do if you find money on the street

Here is how to claim the ‘special payment’

You can make a claim by contacting your local Jobcentre.

Just ask about the ‘Income Support Claims Review’ and provide any information to support your application if needed.

If you would have been paid more on income-related ESA, you will be paid the money you should have had.

The DWP think the overall cost of the payouts ‘to be low’ but aren't able to estimate an average amount.

A DWP spokesperson said:

We have identified an administrative error affecting a small number of Income Support claimants and encourage anyone who thinks they may have been affected to check if they’re eligible for a special payment.

Read more:

⋙ 'Stingy' husband makes wife promise to bury him with his money, what she did next will surprise you

⋙ Money warning issued to Brits over old paper bank notes and coins: ' Dig them out now'

Sources used:

- Mirror: ​​'Thousands could get 'special payment' after DWP mistake - see who can claim'