So I owe tax credits 4.5k apparently

Top_Girl

cosmic-dust wrote: »

You do have the re-payment number, as it's different from the tax credit helpline?
0845 302 1429

Thanks but they told me that's only for existing repayment schedules and I will have to use the normal number.

I was given 0191 206 1383 as a local number to call instead of the 0845 one and I normally phone after 6pm (see I'm getting better at this moneysaving lark already ) - I thought I'd try just before tonight to see if it's less busy but it would appear not. It INFURIATES me that they can just put you on hold for minutes and minutes on end though!

Top_Girl

Lady_gaga wrote: »

if your partner was earning a reasonable wage i don't see how you could incur that much of an overpayment as you probably would have got very little tax credits between you, and if you earn next to nothing now, you'd be entitled to far more in tax credits, I can't get what your saying to add up. Also if you knew since December you were being paid too much, why wern't you putting some of it away so your repayment wasn't so huge?!?

It was irregular, some months were great, others weren't, he gave me the estimate and it was low, I genuinely didn't realise how low. We broke up and he moved out in December and my credits were recalculated for a single parent who earns half a low wage (I went part time so I no longer have childcare costs) so I've been struggling to save anything (bar the £20 a month I put away for my son that I reckon will be getting reduced to £10).

My lovely ex partner also left me with a shedload of debts we had accrued which (again another long story) were all in my name as he is unable to get credit. I have been able to make additional repayments on these due to being incredibly tight in other areas and will now hopefully be using that money to pay THIS debt back.

We live, we learn. One thing I'm not doing though Lady Gaga is attempting to shirk this debt, it's mine and I'm going to repay it if it kills me. I would just rather it didn't and am hoping the TCs are sympathetic and able to allow me to do so at a reasonable rate. Once they finally answer the phone!

Lady_gaga

can they hold you soley responsible for the overpayment on a joint claim if your no longer together? I didn't think they could.

Top_Girl

Lady_gaga wrote: »

can they hold you soley responsible for the overpayment on a joint claim if your no longer together? I didn't think they could.

I haven't spoken to them (still on hold!) but the letter is addressed solely to me so we'll see...

I just want it all clearing and a fresh start, considering he is not currently employed and it's a constant struggle getting him to have our child let alone pay anything.

Lady_gaga

Top_Girl wrote: »

I haven't spoken to them (still on hold!) but the letter is addressed solely to me so we'll see...

I just want it all clearing and a fresh start, considering he is not currently employed and it's a constant struggle getting him to have our child let alone pay anything.

I know but if the overpayment was incurred during the joint claim then regardless of wether or not he will pay they can't hold you soley responsible. If it was after the joint claim ended then you obviously have to pay it all back yourself.

Top_Girl

Lady_gaga wrote: »

I know but if the overpayment was incurred during the joint claim then regardless of wether or not he will pay they can't hold you soley responsible. If it was after the joint claim ended then you obviously have to pay it all back yourself.

Do you think they'll just take half from me and chase him for half then?

Lady_gaga

Top_Girl wrote: »

Do you think they'll just take half from me and chase him for half then?

If it's from the joint claim then they would have to hold him equaly responsible so I would say yes they would persue you for half and him for the other half. Best make sure you get it in writing when the over payment period was.

Top_Girl

Lady_gaga wrote: »

If it's from the joint claim then they would have to hold him equaly responsible so I would say yes they would persue you for half and him for the other half. Best make sure you get it in writing when the over payment period was.

They're gonna put it all in writing for me and have accepted £50 a month :T which is still gonna be a pest to find but will be easier than £60 or the £120 they initially wanted.

My last payment date will be Jan 2019 :eek: but obviously once everything else is clear I will either make extra payments to them or put money aside and try and clear it all in one go!

Thanks for your advice, esp Cosmic Dust and now Lady Gaga, I have given them contact details for him so hopefully it will be split.

Off to the old style moneysaving/grabbit/freebie/competition threads and clearance bins in the supermarkets I go to try and recoup the £50 a month, need to phone Sat and cancel my £19 a month contacts and get some £5 a month daily disposable ones I've been reading about for a start... :money:

Lady_gaga

Top_Girl wrote: »

They're gonna put it all in writing for me and have accepted £50 a month :T which is still gonna be a pest to find but will be easier than £60 or the £120 they initially wanted.

My last payment date will be Jan 2019 :eek: but obviously once everything else is clear I will either make extra payments to them or put money aside and try and clear it all in one go!

Thanks for your advice, esp Cosmic Dust and now Lady Gaga, I have given them contact details for him so hopefully it will be split.

Off to the old style moneysaving/grabbit/freebie/competition threads and clearance bins in the supermarkets I go to try and recoup the £50 a month, need to phone Sat and cancel my £19 a month contacts and get some £5 a month daily disposable ones I've been reading about for a start... :money:

I wouldn't agree to that payment plan as it looks like they are trying to get the full amount from you, wait until it comes in writing and make sure it's only for half, then you'll have it paid off in 4 years instead of 8!!

bestpud

They will write to him about the over payment, but they won't split it in half - they will leave that up to the two of you to sort out.

In reality, that means they will pursue whichever one starts paying - i.e. you!!

If your ex refuses to pay anything, or even respond, they will not do anything as they are getting the payments from you.

It's infuriating, I know, but that's how it operates! You'd probably be better off refusing to pay until they've contacted your ex.

A friend of mine was forced to go bankrupt in your situation (left with ridiculous debts too) and then, funnily enough, tax credits suddenly started chasing her ex more rigorously - before then they couldn't have cared less!