Each of the Department's primary scheme areas and all local offices have a debt management function. The number of staff specifically involved in the collection of debt will depend on the claim-load and the level of overpayments in each of these areas. It is the responsibility of all Departmental officers to review the debt position of a customer at the claim stage, when establishing a customer's entitlement, and to negotiate a repayment plan on outstanding debt.
My Department's policy is to seek the maximum level of repayments from clients, who have received payments in excess of what they were entitled to, in order to encourage prompt repayment of all debts. We are fully committed to recovering 100% of all overpayments.
Effective debt recovery is seen an integral part of the deterrent to fraudulent claiming. Debt holders should be aware that a departmental debt will remain on their records until fully recovered and will result in a reduction of all future entitlements, up to and including state pension. Following the death of a customer who owes a debt, my Department has a claim on any estate remaining. Persons who have a debt and who are no longer dependent on social welfare are required to repay this debt as quickly as possible. My Department actively pursues the recovery of all overpayments, including the initiation of civil proceedings, where appropriate.