If you’ve made a successful personal injury claim and you’ve previously received benefits for that injury, you may have to pay those benefits back via the Compensation Recovery Unit.
Dealing with the Compensation Recovery Unit is nothing to worry about – it’s a routine part of the claims process that will be handled by your legal advisor. But to make sure the process is clear, here we explain what the Compensation Recovery Unit (CRU) is, the role of the CRU in personal injury claims, and the process of challenging a CRU assessment.
Compensation Recovery Unit explained: What is the Compensation Recovery Unit?
The Compensation Recovery Unit (CRU) is a part of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Its role is to recover social security benefits (and some NHS costs) paid to someone who was injured and has since received compensation.
The CRU does this to make sure that no one is compensated twice for the same injury and to ensure that taxpayers are reimbursed for any benefits an injured person has received after they’ve been awarded compensation.
If you’ve been awarded compensation for a personal injury claim and you received benefits too, you may have to reimburse them via the Compensation Recovery Unit. For example, if you received benefits because you couldn’t work, and then claimed compensation for lost earnings during that period, the CRU may recover those benefits from you.
Why does the compensation recovery unit exist?
The CRU exists to make sure no one is compensated twice, such as with both benefits and compensation. It does this to make sure the British taxpayer doesn’t unfairly pay for benefits if compensation has been awarded.
The CRU does this in two ways:
- Recoverable benefits in claims: The CRU recovers social security benefits if compensation has been awarded for the same reason those benefits were paid.
- NHS treatment charges repayment: The CRU recovers the costs of NHS treatments where personal injury compensation had been paid to cover those costs.
How does the CRU process work?
The CRU’s involvement in personal injury claims is a routine part of the compensation process and is handled entirely by your legal advisor. Here’s how it works:
- Reporting the claim: When you make a personal injury claim, your legal advisor informs the CRU about your case. This allows the CRU to track any relevant benefits you’ve received.
- Issuance of the Certificate of Recoverable Benefits: The CRU issues a certificate that outlines the benefits you have received in relation to your injury. This document is essential for calculating any deductions from your compensation.
- Repayment by the at-fault party’s insurer: If your compensation overlaps with benefits already paid to you, the insurer of the at-fault party reimburses the CRU for those benefits. This ensures you aren’t compensated twice for the same loss.
Your legal advisor will manage all communications with the CRU, so you don’t have to worry about the details.
Which benefits are affected by the CRU?
The CRU may recover a variety of state benefits related to your injury and your recovery, including:
- Inability to work benefits: Such as Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
- Mobility benefits: Such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
- Care-related benefits: Including Attendance Allowance for individuals needing help with personal care.
These benefits are typically assessed to ensure no duplication occurs between what the state has provided and what your personal injury compensation covers.
H2: Does the CRU impact my compensation?
Understandably, you may be concerned about how the CRU might affect your compensation claim. The key point to remember is that the CRU only affects compensation for damages that overlap with benefits you’ve already received.
For instance, compensation for lost earnings might overlap with benefits paid for the same reason and could be subject to recovery. But compensation for future losses, pain and suffering, or damages unrelated to benefits you received remains untouched.
Your legal advisor will ensure that your compensation settlement accounts for any recoverable benefits, so you receive the full amount you’re entitled to.
What if the CRU makes a mistake?
Mistakes with the CRU are very rare, but they do occasionally happen.
You shouldn’t worry about the CRU making a mistake in your case, as your legal advisor will review all CRU Certificates of Recoverable Benefits to make sure they’re accurate. If an error is found, such as an incorrect amount listed for repayment, your advisor can dispute the certificate through the mandatory reconsideration process of challenging a CRU assessment. This ensures that only the correct benefits are recovered, protecting your rightful compensation.
How does Injury Lawyers 4u make the CRU process stress-free?
Understanding and dealing with the CRU might seem daunting, but that’s where Injury Lawyers 4u comes in. Our expert legal advisors will handle all the complexities of the CRU process for you, on your behalf. We’ll:
- Report your claim to the CRU and manage all correspondence
- Review the CRU’s Certificate of Recoverable Benefits to ensure its accuracy
- Address any issues or concerns related to benefit recovery, including challenging a CRU assessment if necessary
Our goal is to make the process as smooth and stress-free for you as possible, ensuring you receive the maximum compensation you’re entitled to.
Ready to make your claim?
If you’ve suffered a personal injury and are ready to pursue compensation, Injury Lawyers 4u is here to help. We can guide you through the claims process, explaining every step to you clearly, including our dealings with the CRU and the state benefits recovery process. Our no-win, no-fee guarantee means there’s no financial risk to you – you’ll only pay us if your claim is successful.
Contact us today for personalised advice and support with your claim. Call us on 0333 400 4445 or fill in a contact form and we’ll get back to you quickly.