Any tax credit overpayment experts wanna get their teeth into this one!

someonepleasehelpme · 24 April 2007 at 1:09AM

Hi

I've been issued with an overpayment to the sum of £6,500 with no apparent reason for the period ending 05/04/2007.

this is my situation.

- I have been a single parent on a low income for the past 3.5 years
- I have always kept my details with tax credits up to date
- In february 06 I receive a phone call to say my account is being investigated for identity fraud and that payments into my bank would stop and that I would receive manual payments
- I regularly rang tax credits in the past year to find out when this would be sorted out and no-one could tell me
- I was told by the tax credit helpline that I would not receive a renewal notice as I was on manual payments and would have to wait until it is sorted out
- during this time my circumstances DID NOT change and the amount of tax credits I was receiving was about the same as previous years - if anything they dropped slightly whilst I was receiving manual payments but no-one could say why.
- At the beginning of March THIS YEAR (2007) my circumstances changed - I moved house and moved in with my partner and informed tax credits straight away and completed a new claim like they told me to.
- to top it all off the 'notice to pay' states 'we have already told you about your overpayment of tax credit for the period ending 05/04/07' - well this is the first i've heard of it. its a joke.

So how have I been overpaid if I was still a single parent up until March this year?

Any clues anyone? I rang the tax credit helpline who said he would get a detailed breakdown of where I've been overpaid - they are basically asking for everything back from the past year when I was still a single parent at the time. it makes no sense.

lebly · 24 April 2007 at 11:05AM

Ask for proof of the previous notice informing you of the overpayment. Ask why the decision was made and how. Make sure you get a complete breakdown. Write to them recorded delivery. It seems that you can only have had an overpayment for one month! Ask for a copy of every single letter note on their computer etc - it is your right under freedom of information act. Also phone and ask to speak to a line manager.

It will be tiring and stressful - sorry. Been appealing against mine for four years and they have got it wrong every year for the last four. Write to you MP and get them involved. I have got written admissions of mistakes made on mine from Dawn Primoroal herself and have had Gordon Brown on the case - still fighting - with adjudicator now!

Good luck

someonepleasehelpme · 24 April 2007 at 11:57AM

Thanks Lebly - will write to them again, even sent recorded delivery they don't seem to receive any of my letters. Even the over payment for the month I sent back to them because I was being paid by cheque and they havent even bothered to acknowledge it, but I photocopied the cheques and even stated that I was doing so in my letter.

You are right about it being tiring and stressful - I have a severely disabled son with a rare brain condition who I'm trying to spend as much time as possible with cos he may not be with us long and this is extra stress I do not need.

I just feel I'm heading towards a nervous breakdown, I can fell my depression starting to rear its ugly head again. These people have made me feel physically sick.

lebly · 24 April 2007 at 12:41PM

I am sorry to hear this. It made my depression so much worse and I was constantly in tears over it. Make sure you also point it out in your letters!

My thoughts are with you

System · 24 April 2007 at 5:52PM

You need to ask for a full explanation of how this supposed overpayment occurred so that you know what you will have to dispute.

From what you have said I am wondering 2 things:

1. your single claim may have been terminated because no renewal form was returned but you were told none was to be issued so you can dispute using that.

2. What was the result of the investigation into the identity fraud? If they found against you then they could be asking for the full years tax credits back. Again you need a full explanation of the reason for the overpayment.

someonepleasehelpme · 24 April 2007 at 11:36PM

Pam17 wrote: »

You need to ask for a full explanation of how this supposed overpayment occurred so that you know what you will have to dispute.

From what you have said I am wondering 2 things:

1. your single claim may have been terminated because no renewal form was returned but you were told none was to be issued so you can dispute using that.

2. What was the result of the investigation into the identity fraud? If they found against you then they could be asking for the full years tax credits back. Again you need a full explanation of the reason for the overpayment.

Thanks Pam

My only concern is that I have written and telephoned on many occassions to ask for something in writing about this so called identity fraud and what was happening with my account, they never answered my letters and told me over the phone that I wouldnt receive anything and not to worry because it was being looked into.

With regards to the result of the investigation, it turns out there is no evidence of fraud on my account.

It's just really annoying that I did everything I could to keep TC informed and to find out what was happening - now I get lumbered with this extra hassle. I just feel like crying.

someonepleasehelpme · 25 April 2007 at 10:20PM

yesterday I felt like crying, today I've just cried non stop.

I received yet another bill for a tax credit overpayment for the year 05 for approx £1,500.

rang tax credits straight away, must admit the person was more helpful than others i've spoken to, only to be told that my entire claim since 2003 - the year I first claimed - has been terminated.

I just don't understand, I've done nothing but keep TC up to date with everything. This all seems to have happened since i moved in with my partner in March this year. I was single up until then. Just when I thik I'm getting my life on track this happens. i just can't handle it any more.

lebly · 26 April 2007 at 11:52AM

OMG - Sorry to hear this. Hope you feeling a bit brighter today.

Get back on the phone to them and ask for a full and comprehensive explanation in writing as to what is going on - spaek to a manager though!

Hope you get it sorted.

kurjam · 27 April 2007 at 7:26PM

hi have they said why youyr claim as been terminated ??
keep us informed of how things go !!

someonepleasehelpme · 28 April 2007 at 12:15AM

No idea why they terminated my claim - all the details Ive supplied in the past have been correct and up to date.

I have asked for a detailed explanation of why it has been terminated.

I just dread every letter that comes through the post now.

kelloggs36 · 28 April 2007 at 8:08PM

Go to your MP - they can get things sorted out much quicker than they will do direct to you! They are absolutely awful, they really seem to have no idea that it messes up people's lives and they just keep on sending letters! Please contact your MP first thing on Monday morning, or send them a letter tomorrow. Good luck.