tax credit overpayment

rockerchick

sorry i know i've just done another thread but this is a different problem so felt it warranted it own thread.
A little over year ago i split from my partner he was working and i was not so while we were together we got all the usual benefits plus working tax credit as he was working part time.
I have since moved to a new area just me and my daughter.
The over day i received a letter with both our names at my address saying we had been overpaid. He doesn't live here, never has done and they know that as i only moved here a few months ago.
It says we owe them a hundred and something pounds (havnt got the letter on me) it also says X amount is working tax credit overpayment and x amount is child tax overpayment.
They have kindly attached a slip to the bottom with both our names printed on it and the amount to pay.
Just a few problems here.
It says on the letter that the overpayment was up to the period i claimed when i was with my partner (well over a year ago 1-2 years ago maybe) so how is it fair for them to write to me now after all this time and demand it be paid within one month. Also it was their error. I can't afford this. Plus it's not all my 'debt' anyway.

Murgatroyd21

Contact the helpline and dispute the overpayment as you say it was TC error. This will suspend recovery until it has been looked in to. In the event you still have to pay, you would only be responsible for 50%. Make sure all your details are correct with TC too.

McKneff

I would think that if both their names are on it, surely it would be joint and severely liable so they could chase either one of them for the whole debt. Is that not so. (if they cant find one or the other party)

rockerchick

Have no idea if my X has been contacted. But surely they wont send the letter to both of us incase their is a chance we both go to the bank with the slip and pay it seperately.
My X owes me over £300 to me (which he won't give me) so contacting him to jointly resolve the matter would be out of the question.

Murgatroyd21

They have a duty to send the information to both of you if possible, and it would include the names of those who were on the claim the overpayment arose from, but it is still only half that each of you have to pay, unless one of you is prepared to volunteer a different amount (greater than 50%).

Contact the OP helpline on 0845 302 1429 and they'll confirm you only need to pay half.