Student Loans Company Dispute

ConfusedFreelancer_2

Hi all,

I am having a lengthy dispute with the Student Loans Company regarding what they consider a grant overpayment of £3500.

The situation is, I was a student for academic years 2002/2003 and 2003/2004.

First year, not a problem regarding my payments, the second year (where my circumstances were exactly the same) is the one in question. They are saying I was given my grant on a provisional basis until I gave them evidence of household income (which I'm sure I would have done).

My wife at the time was on Income Support and my only income was from the Student Loans Company. Just as it was for the first year I was a student.

They are saying the only way I can prove I was entitled to the grant is if I provide them with information from the DWP, saying that my ex-wife was indeed receiving benefits.

However, after myself and my ex-wife enquired about this, we were told they do not hold records that far back.

I now have no idea how I can obtain this evidence if DWP have no records, and we do not hold paperwork that far back. Also, bank statements are not able to be acquired as she has changed banks, perhaps several times, since then.

Does anyone have any ideas of how I can prove to the Student Loans Company she was on benefits for 2003/2004?

The exact way Student Loans are putting it is 'overpayment of dependants grant'.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

rizla_king

So they are chasing you for this now? A 10 years old overpayment? Even if you can't prove things one way or the other, it may be statute barred by now?

ConfusedFreelancer_2

Yes, they've given no inkling that it may be written off. I have a small extension, couple of weeks, before they get heavy with an outside collection agency.

First of all, there's no way I can afford to pay that back any time soon and secondly, it's principal too... As I say, my circumstances were exactly the same so I was fully entitled to it if I was in the first year.

The best thing is it has taken me a ludicrous amount of calls to get any information from them, they had to dig really deep to tell me about the evidence of benefits thing. Apparently, that is the only solution to all of this.

rizla_king

If all else fails you could tell them to naff off as it is statute barred.

http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/factsheet.php?page=25_liability_for_debts_and_the_limitation_act

soontobemrsg

Usually at the time of applying for the adult dependents grant you have to get a form completed by DWP to send to them (Or at least that's how it worked in 2007 onwards).

Do you remember having to do something similar?

It does seem strange that it takes them 10 years to contact you about this as my small grants overpayment was notified within weeks of sending in my financials following the academic year.

ConfusedFreelancer_2

Thanks rizla king, I'll have a read through that

soontobemrsg: I really can't remember but I imagine so