Letter off dwp regarding assets of deceased relative

[D1on]

A relative of mine passed away this year, As the executor we instructed a solicitor to obtain the grant of probate, However we have received a letter off the dwp asking for a list of assets of the estate, so they can check if she was overpaid in her benefit.

Anyone had this before? and is it a routine letter?

Thanks

[Eric Mc]

Letter FROM the DWP.

Were they paying any of her care home fees?

[Sheepshanks]

It's very common and it's to check the deceased wasn't being paid benefits,especially pension credit, when they shouldn't have been. They must suspect something from the probate docs.

The normal timescale rules in these matters don't apply to DWP.

You can read of many cases were families have divi'd up the estate, spent it, and then the executor is asked to pay it all back.