Paid someone else's JSA

[Moonfig]

The DWP have paid me someone elses JSA (i don't claim this) and I've spoken to 4 people in 2 different departments and haven't got anywhere yet. Meanwhile someone is waiting on their benefits payment.

I'm frustrated - they seemed genuinely surprised by me calling. How can they not be setup to have a process when this happens?!

Anyone got any advice? I obviously won't spend the cash but im concerned they don't do anything to take it back then come chasing and blaming me in 6 months time.

An

Haven't you ever seen threads on here where the OP has fucked up and transferred / sent money to the wrong bank details and the banks response is generally "you authorised it, now all we can do is wait to see if it's returned, we can't force it's return"

And yet the weird thing is here the OP is the recipient, trying to return the money, and has just been presented with obstacle after obstacle. It's ridiculous.

I say send the DWP a letter and a cheque.

Why can't the DWP give you their bank account details and ask you to transfer the payment back to them? Surely it shouldn't be so difficult? I'm not in the UK but I was overpaid a JSA once and I just paid it back when they gave me the bank details.

If you have his name, I’d try searching for him on Facebook unless it’s John Smith or something super common. Explain the situation, him for his NI number and if it’s the same one then ask him for his bank details and pay him directly.

I suggested paying the man directly but as OP rightly pointed out DWP could still demand the funds back.

@Jane567

If you have his name, I’d try searching for him on Facebook unless it’s John Smith or something super common. Explain the situation, him for his NI number and if it’s the same one then ask him for his bank details and pay him directly.

I considered this, but as midnight said, there's too many ways for it to go wrong.

I'm not paying it in under another NI number - I asked about this on the phone and was told it would be fraud.

I'll see what my MP can do, no one on the phone was interested when I mentioned the data breach. It's a total mess, but ultimately I've done my best.

I was stressed because they told me someone would have no money because of me. I'd hate to be in that position.

No, they have no money because the account details were incorrect. Is that your fault?

They have no money becuase DWP doesn't have a mechanism for you to repay the money directly. Is that your fault?

They have no money becuase DWP haven't authorised the recall from the bank of the money. Is that your fault?

You have gone above and beyond to fix this OP (and I would be doing the same). However, there seems to be nothing more that you can do now to sort this out, so I'd suggest a mug of tea and let the worry go.

How is that fraud? Other people pay off people's DWP debt all the time!

It's more likely to be fraudulent paying it in under your NINo as you're effectively crediting a payment that is no way linked to you!

Genuinely would be interested as to what an MP can magic up as an alternative.

@8dayweek

How is that fraud? Other people pay off people's DWP debt all the time!

It's more likely to be fraudulent paying it in under your NINo as you're effectively crediting a payment that is no way linked to you!

Genuinely would be interested as to what an MP can magic up as an alternative.

I'm just telling you what I was told by the ninth person I spoke to. That aside, I actively want to pay this back - but on the basis that there is traceability I have done so and the payment is coming from me, not the owner of the NI number.

My worry is I pay it back (bearing in mind I called the debt line to do so and they refused to take payment) with someone elses NI number then further down the line get chased for it.

You're giving this too much thought OP. Let DWP know and pay it back so they don't chase you for money but Christ don't spend hours worrying about whatever idiot can't even input his details correctly