Failures at DWP include billions in benefits going unpaid | Personal Finance | Finance [Video]

DWP owed man £10,000 reveals Money Buddies CEO

Watchdogs have revealed serious failings at the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) with people missing out on billions in payments.

At the same time, an overwhelmed call helpline means people seeking help collectively spent more than 753 years waiting for an answer last year.

A report from the National Audit Office (NAO) found claimants received around £4.2 billion less than they were entitled to last year. This includes £870 million worth of PIP payments and £750 million in Disability Living Allowance.

However, at same time, some £9.7 billion was overpaid to others mainly through Universal Credit. Figures from National Audit Office, which also found people spent more than 753 years waiting for their calls.

Some £9.7 billion was overpaid to others mainly through Universal Credit (Image: Getty)

The figures were revealed as the result of an investigation which found the DWP has “fallen short of the expected standards” in recent years, with PIP being a particular concern.

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