Tax credits overpayment

jcjkisaac

I am being chased for an overpayment from 2011, my husband and I separated so I claimed tax credits, after over a year he moved back in as we had reconciled. It was around renewal time so I just didn't bother renewing as I knew we wouldn't get anything. I'm pretty sure I only got one letter after that saying I owed money until about 2 months ago and now they are demanding the money, I've since changed my life and dont bury my head in the sand anymore, I called them today thinking it would be easy to sort out only to be told that it didn't matter and I had to pay the money back over three years. Now I know I completely messed up but I was entitled to what I got but just failed to realise that I had to renew to confirm previous payments and then failed to deal with it after as thru didnt chase anything I just thought they had realised their mistake. If I appeal is there any chance of sorting this? Thanks in advance!

joe65

jcjkisaac wrote: »

It was around renewal time so I just didn't bother renewing as I knew we wouldn't get anything

I called them today thinking it would be easy to sort out only to be told that it didn't matter and I had to pay the money back over three years.

Now I know I completely messed up but I was entitled to what I got but just failed to realise that I had to renew to confirm

If I appeal is there any chance of sorting this? Thanks in advance!

It clear in all renewal forms, if they don't hear from you by the 30 July, you claim will be closed, and you may end up with an overpayment

As for the appeal, think this will be a tough one, but think it wont go your way, unless you can prove a good reason why you didn't complete the renewal form

jcjkisaac

If I try and get the debt stretched over a longer period do you know what percentage of disposable income they will take??

julie2710

They will stretch the overpayment over a maximum of 10 years. They will go through your financial details with you though if you tell them you can't afford what they have proposed. They would rather you agree to an affordable amount that you stick to.

Icequeen99

This isn't an appealable issue. You could dispute but unlikely you will get anywhere as you had more than one chance to sort it out previously.

As another poster has said you can repay over a longer period if needed.

IQ