Benefit claimants could be at risk of a £50 fine this summer if they're not careful. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) can impose the fine, known as a civil penalty, for claimants who have been overpaid on their benefits.
The fixed-rate fine is often added to the total amount of the overpayment with any repayments being claimed back by the DWP in a similar manner.
Benefit claimants can help themselves avoid a civil penalty as long as they take what the DWP calls 'reasonable steps' to correct the overpayment.
Generally, the fine is imposed if the DWP determines that a person has 'negligently' provided them with incorrect information, or failed to provide some necessary information that affected how much they're paid.
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