Last Company has paid my childcare vouchers for a year

Mickyp

I was dissmissed from a company in May last year and they have carried on paying my £243 a month childcare voucher. I know what you are thinking, how come I didn't know, well the nursery just assumed I was still working for the same company. They did say last November that I had overpaid and to stop payments for a few month, I thought it was because the government contributes when your child gets to a certain age. I just naturally assumed that the company would stop the payments when I left.

Anyway, I found out yesterday and rang my old company this morning, they say they want the money back, £2916. The nursery have told me I am £403 in credit. I was out of work for 5 months so therefore haven't got £2500 spare. Can they demand it back as it is fundamentally their mistake?

Any thoughts? Cheers.

Notmyrealname

Yes they can demand an overpayment back. I suggest you contact them to arrange a suitable repayment plan.

Mickyp

Can I say I'll pay something like £50 a month? Not got £2500!

Judith_W

They should usually allow you re-pay it for the same period you received it - £243 per month. You can but ask!

easy

I don't understand. If you weren't asked for payment by the nursery after you ended your employment, who did you think was paying ??

Mickyp

easy wrote: »

I don't understand. If you weren't asked for payment by the nursery after you ended your employment, who did you think was paying ??

I didn't know they were still paying, normally when you stop working for someone, they stop paying you and stop your other benefits. The nursery thought I was still working for them, hence the payments were made.

ktothema

easy wrote: »

I don't understand. If you weren't asked for payment by the nursery after you ended your employment, who did you think was paying ??

That's what I wondered. I know precisely how much my nursery costs, vouchers or otherwise. If they'd told me I'd over paid and not to pay for a while, I'd have been demanding a statement. I'd also wonder why they weren't asking me for more money on a weekly/monthly/whatever basis.

However the question of how much you can pay back will be dependent on how nice your company feels.

mynameistallulah

Mickyp wrote: »

The nursery have told me I am £403 in credit.

Well that's £400 you can pay back straight away.

Mickyp

Spoke to my old company and agreed to pay half now and £100 a month until the rest is paid off. Not going to be paying my credit card off this year then! Hey ho!

easy

easy wrote: »

I don't understand. If you weren't asked for payment by the nursery after you ended your employment, who did you think was paying ??

Mickyp wrote: »

I didn't know they were still paying, normally when you stop working for someone, they stop paying you and stop your other benefits. The nursery thought I was still working for them, hence the payments were made.

But didn't you think it odd that the nursery weren't asking you for the fees?

If your previous employer had stopped the payments, how much would you owe the nursery by now ??

DVardysShadow

Mickyp wrote: »

easy wrote: »

I don't understand. If you weren't asked for payment by the nursery after you ended your employment, who did you think was paying ??

I didn't know they were still paying, normally when you stop working for someone, they stop paying you and stop your other benefits. The nursery thought I was still working for them, hence the payments were made.

• You didn't think the old employer was paying
• I doubt you thought you were paying yourself
• I doubt you thought the nursery were paying
• I doubt you thought the government were paying.

So what is so difficult about saying who you did think was paying? Are you embarrassed to say you thought it was the toothfairy?