asked to repay childcare grant because sfe lost form-help!

owl_lover

Hi,
As in the title, I yesterday received a letter saying that I owed £1043 because my grant had been overpaid as I didn't return my final childcare confirmation of costs form.
In fact, I did, in July and sent it recorded so I know they received it. Since then I've moved area and no longer have contact with the Childminder.
I phoned the slc, who were nice enough but said I would have to start repaying in 2 weeks and needed to sort it out with sfe.
I then phoned sfe and I was told I was a liar ( charming as ever) and that I would have to redo the form with Childminders signature and it would take at least 6 weeks to process.
I'm annoyed to say the least, I have to hope Childminder replies to by text and then take the 90min round trip to see her ( I know I could use the post but it will just worry me).
Anyway my question is- can the student loans company really make me repay in 2 weeks when I am actually entitled to the money but student finance haven't authorised it yet?
Thanks

agrinnall

There's no such thing as recorded, do you mean that you send it signed for? If so, do you still have access to the signature (I'm not sure how long RM keep them)? If you do, then advise SFE that you have proof that they accepted delivery and that it's their responsibility to find the form, not yours to recreate it.

owl_lover

Yes, sorry, I meant signed for.
Signature is no longer available and I was told on the phone it wouldn't make any difference as "I could have sent them anything".