We've made a decision about your overpayment

snoopjiggyjigg

Hi guys

After some advice. Over the last 18 months we've been overpaid tax credits by £6200. We didn't realise at the time that we were being over paid.

A year ago at the end of March I got a new job having previously been unemployed. I rang tax credits and informed them of my new wage for the year.

We then renewed in July and again I am certain I informed them of my wage and new job.


We then had to contact them about something to do with child tax credits as one of our kids has gone into 6th form. They then said we may be due more money

Instead a few weeks letter we had a letter saying we'd been overpaid the money. Had no idea.

I contacted them and they sent out a form to fill out and send back and mentioned that they could listen to recordings.


Anyway, while we were on holiday a couple of weeks ago we received a letter "We've made a decision about your overpayment"

And they have said the decision is correct and we have to pay the overpayment back. We can find every form we've had except confirmation on tax credits from last year.

They haven't confirmed they have listened to calls and they haven't said anything other than we should have told them (Which I believe we did).


Can anyone advise on what our next steps should be?

Should I start the ball rolling with paying back a minimal amount until a final decision is made...... OR is this THE final decision?


I believe that I did give them correct information.


What should I do next?


Thanks in advance.

Jamie

Darksparkle

Did you not receive an awards notice at any point in the year? If not did you ever question why as you should receive a new award when reporting any changes and completing your renewal

snoopjiggyjigg

Darksparkle wrote: »

Did you not receive an awards notice at any point in the year? If not did you ever question why as you should receive a new award when reporting any changes and completing your renewal

The only one I got was literally after I informed them on the 28th March. They added in my wage (Which was for the week, of about £400). We can't find any others.

After renewing, we can't find any awards notices. They always send though about 5 at a time too, so it makes it very hard to work out which is the correct one.


I was looking to get the phone recordings just to make sure I have told them the correct info. If I didn't tell them it, then it's my fault.

Darksparkle

At what point after 6th April did you call to update your income for the tax year? Just at the renewal? That will be the call that is relevant and the subsequent awards notice issued after that call.

snoopjiggyjigg

I called them about a week before the deadline. Is that end of July?

Darksparkle

snoopjiggyjigg wrote: »

I called them about a week before the deadline. Is that end of July?

Then that's the call you should ask for the recording for and a copy of the awards notice issued after that date if you don't already have it.

snoopjiggyjigg

Darksparkle wrote: »

Then that's the call you should ask for the recording for and a copy of the awards notice issued after that date if you don't already have it.

Is there a special form that I need to get to ask for this? Or just ring them and ask?

Darksparkle

For the recording, do a subject access request. You can do it online, just Google it.

The helpline can issue copies of awards notices.

snoopjiggyjigg

Darksparkle wrote: »

For the recording, do a subject access request. You can do it online, just Google it.

The helpline can issue copies of awards notices.

Thanks for the advice

snoopjiggyjigg

Darksparkle wrote: »

For the recording, do a subject access request. You can do it online, just Google it.

The helpline can issue copies of awards notices.

Would you recommend speaking to them about recovering the debt in the meantime. I don't want to risk bailiffs etc...

Darksparkle

snoopjiggyjigg wrote: »

Would you recommend speaking to them about recovering the debt in the meantime. I don't want to risk bailiffs etc...

They won't suspend recovery during a dispute.