Overpayments help please!

mymadhouse

Hi,

Am new to this board, but have come on the recommendation of my sister.

I called the tax credits helpline today as they are taking an overpayment of just over £2500. I was unsure as to why and the guy I spoke to told me that it was because I had called them everytime there was a change in my circumstances, it triggered an additional payment, which had resulted in the overpayment.

Now as far as I am aware isn't that what they tell you to do??????? I asked him this and he said yes you are supposed to. Ok I know it's not a lot they are taking a month (approx £25 from July onwards),but they have already taken £183 over 2 months.

To make matters worse we have received a letter from our local council re housing benefit and they have told us that our boundaries have changed,so our benefit will drop by £21 a WEEK!!

Things are obviously tight anyway, so I have no idea where I'm going to find this extra money when our CTC & WTC have dropped by £120 per month!

valleyboy74

I am in a similar situation to you and it isnt easy, I am suffering with depression this is the first time ive been out of work, my partner rang them to inform them her hours had increased from 16 to 24 per week. On the phone we were informed that this should be fine and should not effect our benefits in any way.
now throughout the year we were in contact with them a few times when they would ask about her hours, they left it almost a full year to tell us we had been overpaid housing benefit and council tax not sure of exact amount but sure its close to £7000.
When we queried this they told us we should have put it in writing not just phoned, yet on the forms it says if details change to notify us immeadiatly by phone or letter.
We have appealed this god knows how many times already and still we owe it, on top of that we have had to start paying rent arrears as well as trying to pay off the overpayment. My depression is worst than when i started now thanks to the very same people that were supposed to be helping.
we have now gone to C.A.B who at first said we didnt have much of a case, but we have now after months of hassle with Virgin managed to get proof that we called them many times throughout the year (as they claim they only have proof of us calling once).
fingers crossed it gets sorted soon.
but i would say to you to pop and see cab to see if they can help ;-)

kurjam

have you both appealed against the overpayments ?

samhuzz

I was in this situation (well still am, still paying it off) and I appealed it and they said even though I rang them as soon as I knew about the change in circumstances and they updated their records within 30 days, I still had to repay it. I'm not saying don't try to appeal it though. I'd like to know who has got the highest overpayments, mine was about £6000 I think before I started paying it back :eek:. Not too bad now as my ex has to pay half.