Overpayment from 2003 onwards - Is this allowed?!

JulieWooley

Received a letter from HM Revenue & Customs saying I have to repay over £2,000 ! This overpayment is from 2003 onwards, is this allowed ? Do they have a right to claim back this far ?

I have always worked part time but my husband had been unemployed unfortunately on several occasions.

I thought we had always told them of any change in our circumstances but I cannot recall when (from 2003) - Obviously I don't have any proof that I informed them of these changes as it was over 8 years ago!

We cannot afford to pay back the amount they are asking namely £126 initially and then £57 per month for 3 years !!

What can I do ? What are my rights ?

Please help me, I'm really stuck

nannytone_2

a debt to the state is NEVER written off, as it it owed to the public purse.

everytime you told them of a change in circumstances you should have received a revised award notice to say what action they were taking because of the changes.

if you didnt receive any letters the onus would be on the claimant to persue the matter.

if you are in genuine hardship, you should contact them in regards to lowering the repayments.

agrinnall

I think you should post this in the Cutting Tax forum rather than here in benefits, there are a lot of people there who understand HMRC procedures and will be able to advise you whether there are steps you can take to reduce the amount owed.