DWP Under Fire for £500M Overpayments to Deceased

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has come under scrutiny after it was revealed that over £500 million in state pension and Pension Credit payments have been mistakenly paid to deceased individuals over the past five years. This staggering sum includes a record £159 million paid out last year alone, with only about half of the total amount being recovered due to the lack of legal obligation for families to return the funds. Reform MP Rupert Lowe has criticized the inefficiency, advocating for systemic changes to prevent such errors and potential fraud. DWP Minister Andrew Western noted these payments represent a small fraction of total pension expenditures and are currently treated as non-recoverable, although voluntary repayments can be requested. Meanwhile, millions of pensioners could benefit from the Attendance Allowance, a non-means-tested benefit for those with specific health conditions, providing up to £5,644.60 annually. The DWP encourages pensioners to check their eligibility for additional support like Pension Credit through online resources or direct helplines.