Maladministration fiasco. Totally lost.

Hi, sorry if this isn't totally clear the whole thing has my head spinning

* DWP Maladministration created significant debt
* Was adviced to seek legal help on here so I did
* After 20 or so phone calls was unable to find solicitor mostly saying they don't do welfare
* Managed to get CAB to help & was told to do MR and NOT repay monies owed until issue resolved
* Due to the whole issue being a tangled web the MR were exhausted and CAB advised us to go to tribunal and would further advise
* Fast forward a few weeks and the CAB went back on their word, said don't get our hopes up for anything good happening and said they can't represent us (even after saying they would)

Now here I am facing a tribunal; alone after doing absolutely nothing wrong (dwp confirmed it was their fault) with no one to help and too much anxiety to feel like I can handle it myself.

I've found this whole situation unbelievable, first being done over the DWP for being nothing but honest and then finding such a lacking of legal help anywhere (a have enquired at most local firms and a few far away). Feels like everyone just turned their backs on me

Any words would be deeply appreciated, thank you

Firstly David my sympathy. It is hell being run over by an all-powerful steamroller but there may yet be hope. if you cannot get any completely voluntary help in these hard times, another avenue to try is this one: Recommended some time ago by another forum poster for whom he did very well. This man [Kester Disability Rights] will hopefully look at your case, which won't cost you anything. If he thinks he can win it for you, you can agree to pay him on a no win no fee arrangement, 25% of any backpay or compensation won. To my mind getting 75% of backpay and all your future benefit if you fear losing on your own is a good deal.
disabilityrights.org.uk/
is the web address.
My very knowledgeable friend has spoken to him and says he is sound. I hope this is helpful in your admittedly miserable situation,
Best regards, Denby

Gary wrote: Hi David

When you say CAB advised you to apply for a MR/Tribunal which benefit are we talking about?
You cannot apply to a Tribunal until you first have applied for a MR.

We do have some excellant guides on the forum in the 'Members Only Guides' area.

Not all CAB offer help with Tribunals especially during Covid.

There are other organisations that may be able to help. You can find your local Welfare Rights Organisation to help you with advice by clicking on the link below and putting in your post code, it will then come up with a MAP with a list of agencies in your area. advicelocal.uk

When you have a better idea of the issues, come back to the forum and we will do our best to help.

Gary

Gary,

Thank you for the reply and for the link.

Sorry, The benefit I am taking about is Univsal Credit and my issue is an Overpayment.

If you'd like the long list of their wrong doings in regard to the overpayment I'd be happy to share but in terms of getting a better idea of the issues: I don't really know what your asking of me because I can't see any others, sorry.

I have applied for multiple MR and hit the limit for any more hence why it has now gone to tribunal.

I believe when it boils down to it; it's an overpayment issue that's either getting paid back or it's not (depending on the tribunal)

I will look into the guides some more but were there any specifically that might help with my case?

I have about a week to sort something before I have to appear

denby wrote: Firstly David my sympathy. It is hell being run over by an all-powerful steamroller but there may yet be hope. if you cannot get any completely voluntary help in these hard times, another avenue to try is this one: Recommended some time ago by another forum poster for whom he did very well. This man [Kester Disability Rights] will hopefully look at your case, which won't cost you anything. If he thinks he can win it for you, you can agree to pay him on a no win no fee arrangement, 25% of any backpay or compensation won. To my mind getting 75% of backpay and all your future benefit if you fear losing on your own is a good deal.
disabilityrights.org.uk/
is the web address.
My very knowledgeable friend has spoken to him and says he is sound. I hope this is helpful in your admittedly miserable situation,
Best regards, Denby

Thank you Denby,

Yes it is quite a hell and I hope to put this behind me after the tribunal but thank you deeply for the reply and I will look into kester disability rights

Thanks again to both of you, I've gained some hope back