Repayment question?

Gavin78

In August 2011 my wife rang TC to inform them that she was getting married and informed them of a change of circumstances the guy on the phone said to her that everything should stay as it is.

So end of December 2011 wife loses her job goes to claim JSA and they said they would need to inform TC which wasn't a problem and we heard nothing further from them.

TC stopped July last year so we figured it was just running till then and we couldn't claim anything more.

We got a letter well infact 3 now saying we owe them for an overpayment of £1600 some for my wife working and the other for child tax.

So far we haven't contacted them and I know now 3rd time ignoring the letter they sent could get nasty. we have just moved house and couldn't get all the paper work together to contact them.

So we will contact them soon because I know they will start taking it from her wage next year if we don't or bailiffs will start coming round.

The money owed will probably work out less than that once we call them to sort it as there is some errors on their part.

I'm just annoyed that they have been informed twice now of a change of circumstances and get told everything is ok to find out that it wasn't.

So when it comes to paying back TC I have read loads of people say they only allow you 12 months? do they or have they ever accepted a longer payment plan?


thanks

rogerblack

You need to inform tax credits yourself of any changes - relying on others to do so - for example the jobcentre - usually does _NOT_ discharge your obligation to do so.

Gavin78

Hi roger we did inform them August 2011 and the man on the phone said there wouldn't be any changes, then again in Dec 2011 jobcentre 5 months later they said they would inform them as well she filled some forms out and they were sent off by the jobcentre staff and still nothing changed.

So we haven't been hiding anything

davehughes182

When you completed your renewal in 2012 did the changes appear on the form?
Did your wife not receive any confirmation of changes or award notices which would indicate the changes where not applied during the period you where over paid?

Gavin78

No we just left it as assumed we weren't entitled to anything but found out we could have still claimed the child element of TC. it wasn't till about January this year that we got our first letter stating we owed the above amount but left it assuming it was a mistake and just before we moved in June we got our 2nd letter stating not to ignore it and finally as we moved house the 3rd one came. I still need to sort out the mess of boxes with paper work in to contact them with all details and wage slips.

Not got a problems paying back if I owe something was just wondering if they offer more than a 12 month payback period

Caz3121

To take it further you need to see if they can trace the recordings of the call when she was told there was nothing to do.
In situations like this her single claim would be closed and a new joint claim would need to to opened. Going from single to joint is not a simple change of circumstances it is the end of one claim and the start (if applicable) of a new claim.
If she did not update her details as required in July 2012 then the whole years tax credits become repayable anyway

Gavin78

Right will get onto them asap. See if we can get all the evidence we need. Only thing to add is that they are writing to the wife in her married name which is what we gave them over the phone back in 2011

Johnny.99

Were you already married when your wife called them? Or was it something that would be a future change of circumstances? If you believe the advisor she spoke to is responsible then you can request a transcript of the call from them. You can dispute the overpayment, but will need to show proof that it was the fault of the Tax Credit Office.

As for paying the money back, I'd make the call as quickly as possible. Setting up a payment plan won't prejudice any appeal you may want to make, and it puts on hold any legal action. You can have longer than 12 months if required. That particular line is to be removed from the letter.

Call the number that is on the letter and speak to an advisor. You'll be asked some questions about your financial position. Just be honest with what you can afford. They'll want it paid back as quickly as possible, but not to the point that it'll cause you hardship. So don't let yourself be talked into paying more than you have.

Incidentally, can I ask what telephone number is on the letter you have received?