In a bit of bother with WTC overpayments

Mark_Ice

Just received a letter from the tax office demanding FULL payment of a Working Tax Credit Overpayment to the tune of £2,257.59 PLUS £110.00 court costs which until now I was unaware of. Apparently on the 3rd Jan Northampton County Court granted judgement against me and now Ive got a sodding CCJ on my already poor credit file which as you can imagine I'm delighted with! They are now looking to apply an Attachment of Earnings Order. Question is what on earth can I do to placate them?

kurjam

this sounds about right for tax credits, they dont seem to care about us....i am unsure what you can do hopefully someone will be along soon and advise...
their is a cab tax credit helpline, might be worth ringing them...i will find the number and post it here for you !!

kurjam

here`s the info might be worth ringing for advice !!

Citizens Advice have set up a new Tax Credits Helpline

See
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/...t_helpline.htm

0844 848 9666
(Calls from BT Landlines are charged at 5p per minute)
The service is available between 6pm and 8pm, Monday to Friday

epona_2

If they were the ones who made the mistake surely they should give you time to pay it back?

welshcakes

epona, one of the problems with it being 'deemed' their fault is that claimants are supposed to be aware of even the most minute detail of change that they're suppose to report - many of which aren't included in the booklet guidelines sent out with the TC award. It's a case of ignorance is no defence in the eyes of the law.

Technically, if someone has been overpaid, it's fair they should pay it back but it's the way it's all been presented over the years. Because the rules are so complex and are not made reasonably available, I think TCs have been sorely misrepresented to us ordinary folk.

I'm currently having to provide 'New Evidence' to prove I wasn't living with a partner just because their system has decided for no apparent reason to add a note to my file saying I was! Madness, given that I was happily celibate and financially independent at the time. But that's the joys of a bl**dy useless computer system and not enough staff, and not enough training.

Jon_01

I’m in the same boat. Just had (this morning) a letter telling me that they want £3000+ by Wednesday next week !!! along with a court summons.

What really pee’s me off is I took this up with my MP months ago (I told them all the changes to our income, but they didn’t do anything about it. They now say we didn’t and as it was all done by phone it seems a case of ‘we’re always right’), anyway, the MP’s office said they’d sort it out !!

Don’t know what to do now !!!!

GirlRacer_2

Tax Credits are supposed to help people on low income. They are a law unto themselves. Am in a position where I can increase my hours, earn extra money and reduce my debts, great you may well say, however contacted Tax Credits helpline 3 times for advice and been advised 3 different things! Confused now, what do I do?

raq

epona wrote:

If they were the ones who made the mistake surely they should give you time to pay it back?

Yeah I always thought they took it out on a weekly basis. They overpaid me 2 1/2 years ago to the tune of £3500.00 and it will be this april that it's all paid. Unless of course they have changed their way of working, which is correct. More and more people will end up in hell of a mess. Just like we did.

nogginthenog

I too am in the same boat i owe nearly £3000.00,the mistake i made is i did not send in all my details by recorded post,so i cannot prove that i have been above board from day one.
I have been after my voice records for over 6 months as a last throw of the dice to prove my innocence but to no avail as of yet.
The CAB are not to sure about the legality about voice records ,they said it is a grey area of law.
one thing i have learnt is send everything recorded delivery and make records of everything when dealing with these people.

charchar_3

They may ask for full payment but will not expect it!!! It can be paid off in instalments which means you will have reduced payments in the future.

I'm sheduled for a payment in February which i am not entilted to as i have left my job to look after my son who is due to have hospital treatment. I've told them but apparently there is a glitch in the system which won't let them stop my payments, so i've set up another bank account to put that money in so i know i can't spend it.

They have no idea why my payments can't be stopped, but have asked them to keep me updated by letter (so i have proof) of the payments made and the telephone conversation we've had. I have also been to the jobcentre and have a reciept which says the jobcentre have informed tax credits of my change of circumstances. I trying everything to prevent having a bad news letter popped through my letterbox!!!_pale_

UKTigerlily

Now i'm worried! I claimed WTC & ended it when my contracted hours dropped under 30, they said I owed them about £50 & they'll ask for it in April I think? Then they paid in a few quid lol confusing