DWP have issued a statement on their debt management telephone line, advising the suspension of debt management collection for overpayments of benefits, tax credits and social funds for a temporary period. They will not be issuing new collection notices or collecting any debt during this time.

DWP are writing to employers to ask them to temporarily stop benefit debt repayments. You should not make any DEA deductions to your employees’ pay in April, May or June 2020. You’ll be told if this will be extended.

Official guidance is to be published soon, and as always we will keep you updated.