Confusion on overpayments from 5 years ago

Viberduo

5 years ago I was going through a huge family crisis and from about June to October I spent more time at parents than at my flat.

I was also a full time student at the time so exempt from CT.

There was a dispute over my leaving date as my contract didnt end till October but I moved most of my stuff out in September and LL still charged me rent and I had keys and LL told them I moved out in September so originally I was told I owed 1 months overpayment(£75 per week)

I appealed and council decided since I didnt officially live there as my main residence I was overpaid benefits from June(so about £1500 I guess) plus took away CTB so wanted about £130 per month CT!

As I was still suffering family issues whenever I got a letter asking for payment I disputed it and then basically after phone call fainted and when I woke up I must of blanked it out as I honestly did not remember until I got more letters and each time I either fainted or just went for nap or bed and next morning I just didnt remember.

They started taking £10 a week from me around Jan 2012, cant remember if it was £10 just for HB or £5 for CT and £5 for HB but either way it was £10 a week and this was constant bar when I changed to ESA it stopped for about 6 weeks and twice for about 2-5 weeks when I had a doubt on my claim(ironically related to the period in question)

So even with a maximum of about 15 weeks not paid it should be all paid or or there abouts.

Got a letter stating I owe the money, phoned council who agreed I originally was paying £10 a week for a few months then they combined the invoice in 2012 and they havent recieved a payment since and therefore I owe it!

Could it be that after the invoice number was changed it was paid into old account details? And why despite having each of my addresses in last 3 years have they only contacted me now?

Only other thing they said was the details were originally passed onto Stirling Park so it could be they have made an error

Just worried sick as it means like £1500 odd has vanished in the last 3 years(may even be more as I have a feeling payments began in 2011.) and they want me to pay again!

pmlindyloo

Can you look at your bank statements/PO accounts to see whether your benefits have had the £10 deduction each week? And/or have you still got your award letters? These will show whether you have had deductions taken from your benefits.

You will need evidence to show that you have paid the arrears.

Viberduo

Not really, I have online banking and only get a paper statement and just chuck in drawer(I am autistic so it causes problems)

But I assume DWP has evidence they can prove.

I assume I can find the more recent DWP letters as I know I have one from about 2 or 3 months ago.

tomtontom

Viberduo wrote: »

Not really, I have online banking and only get a paper statement and just chuck in drawer(I am autistic so it causes problems)

But I assume DWP has evidence they can prove.

I assume I can find the more recent DWP letters as I know I have one from about 2 or 3 months ago.

If you have online banking then surely you can check what amount you have been receiving?

Viberduo

Well yes but the online banking only shows current month unless I am doing something wrong(Clydesdale)

tomtontom

Viberduo wrote: »

Well yes but the online banking only shows current month unless I am doing something wrong(Clydesdale)

According to their website you should be able to see transactions for the last six months. If not then you need to contact them.

Viberduo

I will check again, all I see is it shows a maximum amount of transactions on main page so the more transactions you make the less far back it goes, but there must be an option for previous statements.

Yes just checked have 6 months worth

NYM

Viberduo wrote: »

Well yes but the online banking only shows current month unless I am doing something wrong(Clydesdale)

On their website it states that you would be able to view your Transaction history – 6 months or 400 transactions, whichever is the lesser

pmlindyloo

Viberduo wrote: »

I will check again, all I see is it shows a maximum amount of transactions on main page so the more transactions you make the less far back it goes, but there must be an option for previous statements.

I think you will need to telephone them and ask them to send you the last 5 years of transactions unless you can find your last 5 years of award letters.

Viberduo

Something strange has been going on here, I phoned DWP who say they can only see the last 2 years of payments and none were for the place I thought I was paying but another disputed one that was double dipping as they were taking £10 a week off my LHA and £10 a week from my ESA for the same overpayment(from 2005 that I disputed) so thats a seperate matter.

And the one who I got a letter from saying I havent paid anything are now wanting to claim money from DWP meaning its going to be a few more years of payments when I find that unfair as they never contacted me despite having my correct addresses(and even admitting it)