Universal Credit chasing money from 2017. Wwyd?

[Fullnessmind]

My husband has a chronic condition and has long periods where he is unable to work. Mainly due to spending so much time in hospital. We received a letter from Universal Credit saying that there was an overpayment in 2017 but are refusing to give me any more details. It is for £200 and we have 4 weeks to pay or they are contacting my employers. This is the first we have heard of it and the letter is rather threatening. Both my husband and i are working (I always have) and have been transparent about my wages so not sure what to do. I would appreciate more info but they won't give me any!
What are my rights? If any? Thank you

For the sake of £200 can you set up a repayment plan?

Ask your MP if they can represent you

Are you sure it's not a scam?
You owe us money but we refuse to give you details

Can you contact cab? If UC claim you have been overpaid they must have evidence of that and need to share it.

Phone DWP debt management, say you cant afford the full 200 right now and ask to set up a repayment plan. They'll be fine with taking 20 a month

Do you still claim UC now - if so surely they would just take it off current payments. Or are you no longer claiming?

We don't claim it anymore and haven't since 2018, which why I'm annoyed at the tone of the letter. It says it had to be paid in one lump sum. It's definitely genuine as have spoken to them and they said they can't tell me when/what the overpayment was.

It's definitely genuine as have spoken to them and they said they can't tell me when/what the overpayment was.

Are you phoning a number on the letter?
Because that doesn't sound right.

Agreed it sounds dodgy

This happened to my friend, although she didn’t get the letter as she had moved and only found out when her wages where significantly lower.

Public sector debts are notorious for this..

You need to call them and work out a repayment plan ASAP

They are not allowed to take what you don't have. Call them again (Google the number) and set up a repayment plan.

Couple of issues there

1. UC can claim back money from years before even if it is due to their own error, which it very often is.
2. UC always send letters stating what you owe without explaining why, and half the time the amount is incorrect.

The person who you spoke to may not be able to tell you how it occurred because they won't be able to see your old journal, and even if they could the explanation would not be on there. You should contact them in writing and ask them to give you an explanation of when and how the overpayment occurred and ask them to provide a breakdown of the calculation.

Speak to your MP to stop them contacting your employer and ask them to challenge UC for you. UC are notorious for this, it happens over and over again and they seem to have no accountability.

Thanks so much. I will write to them and my local mp!