Advise regarding where we stand with benefits

nannytone_2

it's next to nothing!
my daughter has been doing it for 2 months and made ok money.
you would have to register with HMRC for tax purposes, but it's only a phone call.

Jowo_2

Go to the Debt Free wanabee board and produce an SOA (statement of affairs/accounts) - there's plenty of guidance there on how to do this. The members there will help advise you your options in handling your debts.

Download the MSE budget planner on the free tools section, complete it and work through the site and the forums to find out how to decrease your expenses and up your incomes, there's loads of advice how to be ultra thrifty and frugle.

To me, it sounds like you've sleep-walked into additional debt from the DWP, local council and/or HMRC by knowingly spending benefits and allowances for a number of months that you knew you were being overpaid because of your household's increase in income. For whatever reason(s), not wanting to face up to the reality that you were not entitled to a great deal of it for a 2 or 3 month period.

Here is a good starting point for you to deal with your debts.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ManagingDebt/index.htm

singingsister

I've just checked Avon and it's £15 startup and you earn £1 for every £4 you sell....however the next door neighbour has been an Avon rep for years and "owns" the local area. A close friend also does it so gets all the friends orders!!! So I'd have to go a bit out of my way and we don't have a car!

Bodyshop is out. Says u have to hold make up parties. I couldn't b more of a tomboy and think the only time I've worn make up was my wedding day! Can't say im too enthused about selling something I know nothing about and care very little about!

nannytone_2

you dont have to hold parties for bodyshop. my daughter is a rep and just takes the catalougue round in the same way as Avon. she got into it through her Manager from Avon, so having parties isn't totally necessary.

dseventy

singingsister wrote: »

I've just checked Avon and it's £15 startup and you earn £1 for every £4 you sell....however the next door neighbour has been an Avon rep for years and "owns" the local area. A close friend also does it so gets all the friends orders!!! So I'd have to go a bit out of my way and we don't have a car!

Bodyshop is out. Says u have to hold make up parties. I couldn't b more of a tomboy and think the only time I've worn make up was my wedding day! Can't say im too enthused about selling something I know nothing about and care very little about!

singingsister

I have read your original post and your subsequent posts.

I am trying hard not to sound "rude", but you need to wake up and smell the coffee.

You are finding excuse after excuse not to try and better yourself. The latest and best being bodyshop selling as you don't wear make-up!

You are in dire straights and that calls for extreme measures.

You knew about the financial situation you are in (you had advance warning and acknowledge you owe the money).

You need to think outside the box.

I have loads of suggestions for you but I don't have the time to rebute your arguments on why you can't do it! (You seem to have a few!).

The truth hurts, sorry!

D70

pandaspot

If you become entitled to hb and ctb hb will recover your o/p through your entitlement.

Because it's a fraud overpayment it will be recovered at £13.20 a week, this will go up in April, can't remember off the top of my head now the rate think it will be £13.40 or something like that. If you can't afford that repayment then you can ask for an income expenditure form and they will look at your financial situation , incomings and outgoings and you can see if they will reduce it to £5 per week

We don't really like to reduce fraud overpayments but in certain circumstances reductions are granted

viktory

singingsister wrote: »

the minimum the council will accept is £40 a month

That is very reasonable - only £10 a week.

singingsister wrote: »

At the moment, with a struggle we're able to meet all our monthly repayments and I'm certainly not prepared to start missing payments.

Stupid attitude - this debt to the council is a priority debt and should be treated as such. I work in income recovery and have to say, if you were one of my 'customers' I would have no problem with escalating your case. You are making way too many excuses.

suelees1

Here we go again people giving opinions and not advice about benefits. This board is full of such people.

As far as the overpaid HB is concerned they cannot compel you to repay at £40 pm. As has been suggested you should complete an income and expenditure form to include ALL your debts. Each creditor including the LA should accept a reasonable offer.

Someone mentioned a rate of recovery because it's a fraud case. I don't believe this is a fraud case at all. Whether fraud or not there are maximum repayment rates but every LA has discretion.

It's a bit of a different kettle of fish with the overpaid council tax benefit as that is 'converted' to a bill immediately. You'll need to do the same with that section (which is usually a different section to the benefits one) i.e. send in a financial statement. As you don't have entitlement to any benefit now you'll need to pay the full amount plus an amount off the arrears but again this amount is discretionary. Speak to the billing dept. The last thing you want is them to issue a summons as costs will then be added to your bill.

If you again become entitled to HB the overpayment will be recovered fromo ongoing benefit. Again if you send in an income and expendiutre form to show your income and outgoings they must use discretion to recover at a reasonable rate.

suelees1

By the way I forgot to say it's a very sensible idea to contact CCCS as you mentioned.

real1314

pandaspot wrote: »

If you become entitled to hb and ctb hb will recover your o/p through your entitlement.

Because it's a fraud overpayment it will be recovered at £13.20 a week, this will go up in April, can't remember off the top of my head now the rate think it will be £13.40 or something like that. If you can't afford that repayment then you can ask for an income expenditure form and they will look at your financial situation , incomings and outgoings and you can see if they will reduce it to £5 per week

We don't really like to reduce fraud overpayments but in certain circumstances reductions are granted

OP clearly states they told the LA in Mid-Oct and sent Nov payslip once received (it's not uncommon to get pay after 6 weeks when starting mid-month).

So, how have you classed this as fraud? I assume from the way you have posted that you work for a LA?
If so, you need to become a little more aware of how fraud is classified. There is no element of fraud based on the OPs statemnt.

OP, do as Suellees says, ask for an income/expenditure form, take it from there.