Overpayment + fines from DWP

jacques_chirac

princessdon wrote: »

Id get that in writing from them. My students tell me (as I am not familiar) that it is denied if the course is FT or even if PT over 21 hours. I think its an OR situation. FT or over 21.

If they are telling you different then I'd get this in writing or maybe things have changed, CA isn't something I am not that up on.

This applies to study at university. The OP's understanding of college study is correct. Why they differentiate between the two I do not know

OP, what was the nature of your summer work? They may allocate the payments over a longer period in certain circumstances.

Elvisia

I worked for an employer and was paid directly after I did the work, so for example I did a week then was paid, did a month then I was paid, but they have averaged the whole lot as being paid monthly. So where I got £450 in one week and then paid it that same week they've averaged it out over a month and taken a month's CA off. I am giving an appeal a go, I will see what happens, if they say that's the way it is then I've at least tried.

I discovered why the Debt Management payment is more than my original payment, I rang up the DWP (very kindly was allowed to borrow someone else's phone) and they made a mistake with the original amount I owe. Someone didn't do their calculations properly and sent a letter saying I owe less than I actually do, Debt Management said I can try challenging that too but as far as they are concerned I owe the higher amount.

I also asked the DWP advisor about the full time education bit, he said no you can't be in any full time education and get CA, so I rang straight back, spoke to someone else, yes you can as long as it's under 21 hours a week. So I am appealing that too, and will post back to say what their decision makers decide the current rules are. I am unsure as to whether the confusion is because I am doing a masters degree, the first DWP man was referring to me having classes in school then having extra schoolwork to do. Also judging by the number of advisors who say the same thing it's all rather chaotic - they all say the rules keep changing and they're not always updated with them.