14 July 2005 - Fraud, Error and other Incorrectness in Disability Living Allowance from April 2004 to March 2005
New estimates of overpayments and underpayments occurring in claims for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) are published as National Statistics today.
It is estimated that for the period April 2004 to March 2005, 9.1 per cent of the benefit paid on DLA was overpaid, equivalent to #730 million during the year.
Underpayments amounted to 2.5 per cent of the benefit paid, equivalent to #200 million during the year.
For both overpayments and underpayments most incorrectness was caused neither by fraud nor by errors by the Department. It resulted from changes in customer circumstances which were not reported to the Department.
This report can be read on the Department for Work and Pensions website at:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd2/dlanbr.asp
Interpretation of Results
The results are derived from the analysis of a sample of DLA claims, rather than analysis of all DLA claims, so they are subject to statistical uncertainties. These uncertainties have been quantified and are presented in the results as 95 per cent confidence limits.
Fraud is by its nature a covert activity, and it is possible that some frauds and errors on sample cases will not have been uncovered. In addition, there are instances where fraud was suspected but not admitted or otherwise proven.
Notes to editors
- “Fraud and Error Disability Living Allowance” is a National Statistics publication and is produced to the high professional standards outlined in the National Statistics Code of Practice. National Statistics publications undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs.
- # is equivalent to pounds.
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