HELP UC Overpayment!!!

[RoyallyFdUp]

Hi I really hope someone can help or offer advice.

I have recently had a baby and when I was updating my UC account and making my CB application I have realised that they still have a previous child on my UC claim, this child passed away in November 2023. I've now removed that DC but also added my new DC and I'm worried this is also going to look very suspicious too.

At the time I notified CB & the LA also contacted me with my new council tax calculation due to child no longer being part of the support reductions offered. I believe as the LA had been made aware that everyone else also had too. I was too distressed to ring everyone and check. However its clear my DC has still been part of my UC claim and has been factored in to my payments since november, so I'm not 100% sure what I'm going to have to repay but im sure ive been getting less deductions for my work pay side of things too due to a child being on the claim, so this could mean i need to pay back thousands. I'm distraught and should of checked sooner.

I obviously won't dispute the overpayment as it's money I'm not entitled to but will they now stop my UC all together now? Am I going to end up with a criminal record? Fines? Credit score affected. I'm on Mat leave and am a complete lone parent so I really have little funds or people to rely on if my UC was to stop. My baby is 6 weeks old and I've probably just driven us into proverty due to being careless.

Help!!

Op, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss, and congrats on your baby. I think I’d try ring them tomorrow and explain, and also put an explanation on the system. Usually, when you yourself notice and notify them of an error it’s much better and they’re often much more willing to find a solution than if they’ve come after you. Hope it all gets sorted quickly.

I will try and ring them to speak to someone. I really hope they don't stop my UC completely and I can arrange an affordablely realistic PP, as I'm going to be screwed with no UC or a huge deduction plan until i go back to work. There's no way I will be able to survive on less than £800pm. I feel so stupid for not checking everyone knew.

Op, the DWP have discretion to decide not to ask you to repay an overpayment. They don't let people off often, but given the tragic circumstances it might be worth you asking

I'm so sorry for your loss, OP.
Many congratulations on your newborn

I suggest that you contact your local citizens advice in the morning:
Contact us - Find your nearest Citizens Advice

Easier said than done but please try not to panic. It's likely there will be an overpayment but your UC won't be stopped and you won't have a criminal record.

I'm not sure but I thought uou got a run on of benefits after the death of a child

Can you join the universal credit help group on Facebook?

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/bisY7rcu5QGBLcoW/

Maybe this one?

UC continues unaffected for 2-3 months after the death. So, OP, as your child died in November you would still have been entitled to the same amount of UC until January/February (the exact dates depend on the date of death and your assessment periods). So there will still be an overpayment from Jan/Feb until now but maybe a bit less than you first thought.

Citizens Advice should be able to help you with it all.