Disputed council debt, panic time

heygo

I got a letter and statement claiming I was overpaid housing benefit in 2011-2012 for when I was at college (I was entitled to it as wasn't getting jobseekers or anything) and want back 2 lots of money totalling about £4600 which works out about 60 weeks housing benefit.


They want payment within 7 days or they claim to take things further.


I currently am on employment support allowance so can't afford to give any back thats even if I didn't dispute the money so panicking they will decide I do.


Its more the tone of the letter claiming I owe it and must pay within 7 days or it will be passed for further action to court and incur further costs.


I now live in Scotland and the debt was for somewhere around 400 miles away and if I contacted them theres no way I can attend even more so with my disabilities.


The actual disputed debt was I was getting it paid direct to landlord but I phoned on many occasions to say I had moved out and they said on phone claim was closed, I never heard back from them after.


So the main thing is im worried either about if they want to have it in down South English court so I can't attend or I lose as can't afford to pay back, I assume they can't come round and take stuff as I am in Scotland



Just as I assume they are doing this as its been 5 years since the alleged overpayment so don't have much time left.

sourcrates

Hi,

Suggest you contact National Debtline for advice on how to dispute this.

It will not go to court, they just pass the accounts to debt collectors to chase, thats why if you dispute the over-payment, its important to get your complaint in ASAP.

Although benefit over-payments are subject to the Limitations act, the government can continue to recover amounts owed by taking it from existing or future entitlements.

Info here :

https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/steps/step3/Pages/Step_3_11a.aspx