PART 9Enforcement

Overpayment notices and offsetting83

1

Where the Authority is satisfied that a participant or former participant has received periodic support payments which—

a

exceed that participant’s entitlement;

b

were paid whilst there was a failure by that person to comply with an ongoing obligation, or following such a failure; or

c

were paid as a result of the provision of information which was incorrect in a material particular,

it may take one of the actions set out in paragraph (2).

2

The actions in this paragraph are that the Authority may—

a

require a participant or former participant who has received periodic support payments to which paragraph (1) applies, to repay a specified sum in relation to some or all of those payments; or

b

offset a specified sum in relation to some or all of those payments against future periodic support payments.

3

Before taking either of the actions set out in paragraph (2), the Authority must send the participant or former participant a notice specifying—

a

the sum it is seeking to recover;

b

the basis on which that sum is calculated;

c

whether the specified sum must be repaid or will be offset;

d

where applicable, the date by which the sum must be repaid;

e

where applicable, the amount which will be offset in each quarterly period and the time it will take for the sum to be recovered; and

f

details of the participant’s or former participant’s right of review.

4

Where a participant or former participant who is required to repay a specified sum under this regulation or regulation 74(3)(b) fails to make payment in full by the date specified under paragraph (3)(d), the Authority may recover any outstanding sum as a civil debt.