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Student Loans after returning from abroad
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My student loan was deferred whilst I was abroad up to a year and I came back early due to having an accident abroad. When the year was up I received an assessment which wasn't filled out straight away, and there was a gap of around 2 months (may have been more) before I sent the form back, with all evidence required to state the date I got back into the country, and evidence of being on benefits since that date (and due to the accident). From the time I returned, I had contacted the Student Loans to let them know that I was back and why.
The assessment team have apparently reviewed my evidence and have stopped any further payments having to be paid, but I'm now still stuck with a bill of £639.00 due to a discrepancy of the date my form and evidence was received (even though it dated back to months before the assessment was even posted to me). In particular, I had a conversation with someone at Student Loans and I asked for confirmation as to when the SL receive my form and evidence, will the charge be reversed/stopped/account cleared of debt?, and he said yes. In no uncertain terms could I have misinterpreted what he had said. I asked a specific question and I got that answer. I've now been told that he didn't have the authority to tell me that and the decision is not up to him (well if you can't call SL for information...)!
I've also been informed that due to leaving the country I drop off the tax system and that's why they need evidence in writing. Doesn't being on benefits in the UK show on the tax system that is connected with SL? I'm slightly fuming as even though I've shown when I got back in the country, which is also when the benefits started, and that I'm still not in employment that I'm being forced to potentially pay this amount. I was also told that "it's not about affordability, it's about liability" - I mean if not for affordability, why would anyone get a SL?! I'm currently waiting for the assessment team to review my evidence again, which I've also asked them to pull up the previous phone conversation.
I'm hoping someone could advise me if I have a leg to stand on or not.
The assessment team have apparently reviewed my evidence and have stopped any further payments having to be paid, but I'm now still stuck with a bill of £639.00 due to a discrepancy of the date my form and evidence was received (even though it dated back to months before the assessment was even posted to me). In particular, I had a conversation with someone at Student Loans and I asked for confirmation as to when the SL receive my form and evidence, will the charge be reversed/stopped/account cleared of debt?, and he said yes. In no uncertain terms could I have misinterpreted what he had said. I asked a specific question and I got that answer. I've now been told that he didn't have the authority to tell me that and the decision is not up to him (well if you can't call SL for information...)!
I've also been informed that due to leaving the country I drop off the tax system and that's why they need evidence in writing. Doesn't being on benefits in the UK show on the tax system that is connected with SL? I'm slightly fuming as even though I've shown when I got back in the country, which is also when the benefits started, and that I'm still not in employment that I'm being forced to potentially pay this amount. I was also told that "it's not about affordability, it's about liability" - I mean if not for affordability, why would anyone get a SL?! I'm currently waiting for the assessment team to review my evidence again, which I've also asked them to pull up the previous phone conversation.
I'm hoping someone could advise me if I have a leg to stand on or not.
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It would help if you could insert some paragraphs!0
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