Huge advice needed!!!

KatieTall78

Ok, this is my situation.

Back in 2009, I had a single claim for myself and my son. My circumstances changed, as I got married and moved in with my partner, so I had to change to a joint claim.

All fine and dandy, all going smoothly. Then I had to call up to change my work details as I had gone back after maternity leave and reduced my hours from 36 a week to just 16.

This is where all the problems started...the woman I spoke to on the phone as the Tax Credits office, DELETED my entire years work history by error. I was told this was all recitified as it was a clerical error. Not before I had received a bill for a £4300 over payment. I sent TWO complaint forms detailing all the error, the first they said they never received. The second they got and it was all sorted, well....

Fast forward to July 2013 and I get a Baliffs letter telling me that the Tax Office DWP have passed them my unpaid overpayment bill for £4300 and they want paying in full in 7 days! My blood pressure hit the roof! Fuming is an understatement!

After calling up the baliffs, they put a 30 day hold on it as I explained the situation. I then called up TC and they said they can see from the award notice that all my work details have been removed, but cant see any of the notes, so would have to be refered to the complaints team...

6th August I get a phone call saying that the complaints team are unable to help as they are unable to veiw the notes on the system from back in 2009 and that it would have to be reveiewed by head office and that it would be a 3/4 day wait for a call back...low and behold, no call back, so 20th August I call up again (another 45 minute wait on the phone before they answer). I am told that it is a 3 week wait and I need to call back if I have not heard back by 27th august.

Well, I called up today, to be given the number 0161 261 3225 to call as they are the ones who deal with this apparently.

Are they heck! They are just a progress line and they are telling me that the TC Office are looking into complains for 4th JULY currently! They have said they would send yet another email chasing it up and I will get a call back as to when I will hear, by tomorrow.

My problem is that I have baliffs threatening to come to my home to remove goods to the value of. I have not got this debt as it stems from a clerical error with TC Office.

I really need some help here on how to get this sorted. If not I am thinking of seeking legal advice.

If anyone has any advice that they think could help, I would be so very grateful.

Thank you x

Kayalana99

Its not much advice but perhaps write a letter? I've heard they response faster to letters.

All you can do is keep on at them to sort it out

RAS

Contact your MP and aks them to apply a boot.

pmlindyloo

Did you ask them to call off the bailiffs when you telephoned. if you didn't then try again.

Have you any written evidence that you are disputing this decision (did you keep a copy of your letters of complaint for instance?)

Whilst this overpayment is in dispute the bailiffs should suspend their action. If they turn up show them any evidence that you have that this is in dispute.

Sounds a complete mess and I agree that you should get some advice from CAB/your MP.

If you have to telephone them then you need to note down the date, time, person you spoke for future reference.

BurnleyBob

RAS wrote: »

Contact your MP and aks them to apply a boot.

Yes, that's five star advice!

Click on your MP's name here http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mps/ and message them as soon as you can.

Tell him/her that their sheer incompetence is causing you and your family a huge amount of distress. Ask him/her to attend to the matter as a matter of urgency.

pmlindyloo

BurnleyBob wrote: »

Yes, that's five star advice!

Click on your MP's name here http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mps/ and message them as soon as you can.

Tell him/her that their sheer incompetence is causing you and your family a huge amount of distress. Ask him/her to attend to the matter as a matter of urgency.

Personally I wouldn't be using this link. It took nearly 3 weeks for my MP to write back and then it wasn't him personally.

Look up your MP's surgery times and go and visit. Local councillors are also another source of help and they too have 'surgeries'.

nimbo

When I had issues with the student loans company - my local MP wrote back personally, and I even got a letter from Michael Gove's PA.

It's worth the cost of a stamp.

They certainly out a bomb up the bum of the students loans company - I received a response in less than the 28 days advertised, even though they had written to say they were running behind....

Good luck. xx

Pippin12

I would say get your MP involved too. I had difficulties with the DWP and my MP managed to get it sorted out for me within 3 weeks. Getting an MP involved definitely serves to focus their minds!

Mrs_Grey

If it were me I would find the next surgery and go along in person. I would also take a pack with a one page summary in a reasonable sized font 12 or 14, nothing too tiny, with your name and contact details in bold type at the top. Attach copies of relevant documents and leave it with them after you've had your appointment so there is no room for error. A bit over cautious but better to get your point across and make sure they remember you.