Help massive tax credit overpayment

mummysbabes

MY HUSBAND AND I APPLID THE SAME AS USUAL FOR TAX CREDITS AND WE TOLD THEM EXACTLY HOW MUCH WE BOTH EARNED AND ON EACH OCCASSION WHEN THEY HAVE SENT OUT THE ENTITLEMENT LETTER THEY HAVE SHOWN MY HUSBANDS HOURS AT 50 HOURS BUT HE IS NOT EARNING ANYTHING.
EACH TIME I HAVE PHONED THEM AND TOLD THEM THAT THIS IS INCORRECT AND I HAVE EVEN SENT THEM WAGE SLIPS TO SHOW WHAT HE EARNS AND ALSO HOW MUCH.
RECENTLY WE GOT A LETTER TO SAY WE HAD BEEN OVER PAID AND EACH TIME IT HAS BEEN DIFFERENT IT STARTED OFF AT 6K AND IS NOW OVER 10K.

DOES ANYONE KNOW CAN THEY DO THIS, ITS THERE ERROR AND I HAVE TOLD THEM EACH TIME THEY ARE PAYING ME THE WRONG AMOUNTS BUT YET THEY KEEP PAYING ME AND NOW ARE DEMANDING THE MONEY, REALLY NOT WHAT I NEED RIGHT ON TOP OF XMAS.

DOES ANYONE HAVE A SIMILAR ISSUE AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THIS, WE HAVE ALREADY LOST OUR HOUSE AND NOW WE ARE WORRIED WE WILL LOSE OUR RENTED HOME TO.

PLEASE PLEASE HELP VERY SCARED:eek:

alwaysonthego_2

Hi, welcome to MSE!

I think that you should go to the CAB who can help you appeal this.

You first need to request how they have come up with these figures, but the CAB can assist you with this, good luck!

bestpud

Did you put the part you knew you weren't entitled to to one side?

I agree you need to get a break down of the calculations they have used but surely you knew you'd have to repay so have kept the money safe...?

You can't argue you didn't know when you are also arguing it is their fault because you told them...

Kimitatsu

bestpud wrote: »

Did you put the part you knew you weren't entitled to to one side?

I agree you need to get a break down of the calculations they have used but surely you knew you'd have to repay so have kept the money safe...?

You can't argue you didn't know when you are also arguing it is their fault because you told them...

Im confused but knowing you bestpud there is more to this than meets the eye!

Care to illuminate?

bestpud

Kimitatsu wrote: »

Im confused but knowing you bestpud there is more to this than meets the eye!

Care to illuminate?

Nothing more to it - I'm just gob smacked that someone would spend money they know they are not entitled to.

The OP now seems to be saying they will struggle to repay the money but surely they'd put it into a separate account if they knew they weren't entitled to it?

I wondered how they were going to argue they should be let off the hook...

They were clearly aware they were being overpaid as they told tax credits several times, so I can't see they can argue they spent it by mistake.

I do think they should get a full run down of the overpayment as it would be wrong for them to repay something they don't owe but they do need to repay some money, whatever way you look at it.

Vader123

They were clearly aware they were being overpaid as they told tax credits several times, so I can't see they can argue they spent it by mistake.

Great and correct advice.

Though I suspect the OP won't like to hear it.

Vader

jjackman

Being in a simular situation, i think you are being a bit nasty to be honest, if you have told the tax credit office you are working and sent wage slips in what more are you to do.

I myself at the moment have been faced with a massive tax credit overpayment when i told them what i was asked to and its left me in a real mess.

I have to say being a normal working class family i cant survive with out tax credit payments.

And for the record after they have told me i have been massivly over paid they have upped my payments to almost double and cant change it until its sorted, so how is that right they are just dangeling a carrot to owe more and more money.

when you cant survive and money is put in your account to heat a house and feed kids, you use it.

I amagine none of you making the comments above have ever been in this situation, I have and its not easy at all.

seven-day-weekend

I agree with bestpud - if I knew I was being overpaid I would not have spent the money.

To the OP, I'm sure Tax Credits will be able to arrange some sort of payment plan.

seven-day-weekend

jjackman wrote: »

Being in a simular situation, i think you are being a bit nasty to be honest, if you have told the tax credit office you are working and sent wage slips in what more are you to do.

I myself at the moment have been faced with a massive tax credit overpayment when i told them what i was asked to and its left me in a real mess.

I have to say being a normal working class family i cant survive with out tax credit payments.

And for the record after they have told me i have been massivly over paid they have upped my payments to almost double and cant change it until its sorted, so how is that right they are just dangeling a carrot to owe more and more money.

when you cant survive and money is put in your account to heat a house and feed kids, you use it.

I amagine none of you making the comments above have ever been in this situation, I have and its not easy at all.

If you are spending money that you KNOW is not yours, than that is your responsibility, not tax credits (even though the original mistake in paying you too much is theirs.) You know it is not your money, you should not spend it.

Oldernotwiser

jjackman wrote: »

And for the record after they have told me i have been massivly over paid they have upped my payments to almost double and cant change it until its sorted, so how is that right they are just dangeling a carrot to owe more and more money.

But why spend it if you know that you're being overpaid? That's what some of us (none of whom are working as you are) can't understand.

kelloggs36

I have been overpaid too, but I have kept the money in a separate account ready for them to ask. I have told them 3 times I have been overpaid (they haven't told me and deny that I have, but I definately have). One day they will realise their error and ask for the money back and I will be able to do so immediately. I do wonder though, is there ever a time limit - ie would I ever be able to spend it??!! It isn't mine and I know I have no rights to, but I can't keep it for ever without paying it back as they won't take it!