Paying off overpayment advice please.

farmeruk

I am totally sorry if and sure I have posted this in wrong place. Wasn't sure if I should post this in citizen advice but couldn't see new thread button.

Me and wife are now struggling, son has moved out and our household bills etc come to more than we can afford. This is the first time we would say there is a recession and it suppose to be over.

We have cancelled everything we can, sky tv,appliance insurance, life insurance policies house insurance etc etc.

We are paying off 2 overpayments separately 1 is tax credits paying £20 a month and housing benefit £20 a month. I would like to get these reduced to £10 each a month although £5 a month would be better. If I ring them both and say I can now only pay say £5 or £10 can they refuse to take that from me.

Any advice will be welcome.

HappyMJ

Well if you have nothing to give then offer them £1/month. If they refuse that then let them take further action. As long as you are genuinely short of money each month there is nothing they can do. Just make you have your rent paid on time and have food on the table and forget everything else. Gas and electricity will eventually put a prepayment meter in and take token payments. Water won't do anything, council tax can get a liability order but if your case is genuine that's the end of it if you own nothing of value. You don't go to prison if you can't pay they'd only consider it if you have the money and refuse to pay.

LilElvis

Get an appointment at your local Citizens Advice as they should be able to help you regarding the payments and also make sure that you are claiming everything to which you are entitled.

farmeruk

Thanks for the swift reply. I want to pay more than £1 a month, and we are not that destitute where we have to worry about food. I just want to know can they refuse to accept our offer of £5 a month. Or £10 a month. In 6 months time we will be in a better situation once things catch up I.e less electric and gas and water used.

farmeruk

Not entitled to benifits. Basically wife's wage covers rent council tax,electric,gas and water and her monthly bus pass to work which is around £850 ish. I work p/t and can do overtime which I do religiously generally around 30 hrs overtime a week giving me what I call a Decent wage around £1350 But at present there is overtime ban at work so I only get around £500 ish without overtime. And have to pay debts, internet,phone,insurance for house(need for theft in my neighbourhood)and pet insurance (been to vets twice this year,one time was over £400)I paid £80 excess so is another necessity.

fatbelly

Neither HMRC nor your local council would refuse an offer of payment. But they could look to enforce the debts through court action.

But if that (£10?) is all you can afford then pay that.

If you have other debts, or if this is going to take more than 3 years to clear then it may be worth running this past a debt specialist like CAB or stepchange debt remedy, to see what options you have.

Grumpyoldmoo

Could you take in a lodger?

harrys_dad

Maybe Op you should cross post this on debt free wannabee board.

farmeruk

Thanks for all the input.

I will ring them and tell them what I can afford to pay, and won't budge.