*grrr*...just when I thought I was debt-free !!!

debbycatz

Since I joined this forum a few months ago, I have learnt lots of useful tips and picked up some great money-saving ideas.

Using my new found MSE knowledge I finally paid off my debts last week and am now debt-free (apart from the mortgage). I made myself a budget and have stuck to it for the last month or so.

........and then........I go and get walloped with two bills that I have'nt bargained for :mad:

I have been fighting a tax credit overpayment claim but got a letter today to say that after investigation I do have to pay back around £80. I know this is not a lot but I have already paid back over £800 around 18 months ago and thought that was the end of it !
Apparently I have no right of appeal over the £80 as it has already gone to appeal etc.

I have also had to change my payment date for council tax which has resulted in me having to find two council tax payments out of one months salary :eek: This amounts to around £110.

So, in total I now have to find a total of £190 that I have not budgeted for as I have only been doing a budget for a month or so .
I'm so fed up because I really felt good clearing my debt and yet I now will probably have to go into debt to find the £190 in the next 2 or 3 weeks, although the tax credit people will maybe accept so much per month but I haven't budgeted for that so now my figures will be even less than I thought

Ok....moan over. I know it's happended to others too but it's so depressing.

Thanks for listening.

amosworks

I'm so sorry to hear about your bad news Have you tried the Money is coming easily to me chant? It seems to have worked for quite a few people.

At the very least, go in to the council and beg and plead for some help with this one - I mean they are normal people too really.

Good luck and let us know how you get on
Amos
x

homersimpson_3

Ok....moan over. I know it's happended to others too but it's so depressing.

one step forward- 26 steps back. once you've cleared this debt start putting money away (if at all possible) in an instant access emergency fund - easier than done sometimes.

have been fighting a tax credit overpayment claim but got a letter today to say that after investigation I do have to pay back around £80. I know this is not a lot but I have already paid back over £800 around 18 months ago and thought that was the end of it ! Apparently I have no right of appeal over the £80 as it has already gone to appeal etc.

not necessarily so- did you go to a tribunal?

tsharp

The Tax Credit people say we owe them about £300 or so pounds, but so far they seem to have made no attempt to collect it. How did they inform you of the repayment you had to make? All we got was a summary of how much we owed them...!

debbycatz

homersimpson wrote:

one step forward- 26 steps back. once you've cleared this debt start putting money away (if at all possible) in an instant access emergency fund - easier than done sometimes.

not necessarily so- did you go to a tribunal?

Hi Homer

Thanks for your reply. It hasn't gone to tribunal but basically the tax credit people are saying that I was receiving tax credits for a period from Sep 2003 to Nov 2003 when my hours had actually increased and I apparently should not have received the tax credits. However, my hours had actually increased in July 2003 although I kept them informed of all the changes of hours I made but I have no proof of this . I'm worried that if I fight it further, it will actually reveal that I owe even more than 80 pound !!
I must stress that my case was complicated because I changed jobs 3 times in one year and also change my hours many times in one of those jobs but I DID always let them know.
I think the whole thing is just too complicated to trawl through and I am afraid of owing even more at the end so I'll cut my losses and pay the 80 and hope that really is the end of it.
I haven't received tax credits for the last two years as my son reached 16 so I hope there won't be anymore 'surprises' like this one in the future !

debbycatz

tsharp wrote:

The Tax Credit people say we owe them about £300 or so pounds, but so far they seem to have made no attempt to collect it. How did they inform you of the repayment you had to make? All we got was a summary of how much we owed them...!

Hi tsharp

I received a letter with a payment slip attached to it in Feb 06. I disputed it straight away, but it has taken them till now to look into it. The letter I received the other day just informed me that I did owe it to them, but I don't know if they will send me another payment notification/slip.
I am assuming they will and I don't intend to pay anything till they push for it.

loobyloo1980

Oh what a shame. Never mind, think positive, you have cleared your debt once (what an achievement btw) and you CAN get through this.