Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action is open to a social security claimant where a utility company is reclaiming arrears from their benefit payment but the claimant contests the amount of the arrears because of a faulty meter.

For legacy benefits (JSA, IS and ESA), where a claimant notifies DWP they are disputing liability for the debt the deductions are stopped until this is resolved.

Deductions for arrears of fuel charges are taken from UC as a last resort when other recovery methods have failed and it is considered to be in the best interests of the claimant and their family to prevent the risk of fuel disconnection. However, if a claimant provides evidence that the deductions should not be made, a DWP Decision Maker would consider whether the deduction should continue. Disputes about the amount of arrears a utility company say a claimant has are to be resolved between the claimant and their utility provider.