False Deductions from Universal Credit

thedoc182

Hi, I'm currently a recipient of Universal Credit and for the last 3 months have been getting a deduction of one third of the money. I chased it up and it was for magistrates court settlement, the problem is it isn't me, I used the reference and managed to get in touch with the court for the records, and its a different person with the same name but different address and DOB.

I have since tried recontacting both the court and UC and both say things are right their ends, and follow up contact, phone/email, are getting no responses. I'm at a loss for what I can do.

TELLIT01

Have you spoken directly to your Work Coach? If not, that is the first person you need to speak to, preferably face to face. If they aren't any help say you want to speak to their manager. Arm yourself with the information provided by the court that the judgement is not against you. If that fails you will probably need to escalate it through your MP, but that won't happen until the New Year unfortunately.

Mersey_2

thedoc182 wrote: »

Hi, I'm currently a recipient of Universal Credit and for the last 3 months have been getting a deduction of one third of the money. I chased it up and it was for magistrates court settlement, the problem is it isn't me, I used the reference and managed to get in touch with the court for the records, and its a different person with the same name but different address and DOB.

I have since tried recontacting both the court and UC and both say things are right their ends, and follow up contact, phone/email, are getting no responses. I'm at a loss for what I can do.

Sadly, whilst rare this has happened a few times in recent years. [The Law Gazette featured a poor lady from Wales who had a CCJ - wrongly - entered against her in respect of a fine for a place she had never even visited!]


Email the office of the Council's CEO and your MP and the Ministry of Justice. Between them they should be able to amend the record. Clearly this is important as this may affect your credit rating and so on and so you should also receive compensation for this maladministration by a civil servant once the matter is resolved (as well as their failure to respond to emails or calls).

Alice_Holt

Another vote for contacting your MP. Plus the Secretary of State at the DWP, when you have proof from the Court that this isn't you.

Also get a copy of your credit history to confirm it's not included.

[Deleted User]

You will be surprised how quickly an MP can help you sort this out, you can e mail him/her over the holidays but nothing will happen until the new year now.
Good luck