Income support overpayment

cuuladh

I am being asked to pay a debt from 21 years ago for an overpayment in income support, can they do this after 20 years???

ballyblack

try the site that deals with that

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/benefits-tax-credits

BigAl94

Just ignore it, they have to ask but can't enforce

[Deleted User]

Yes they can do that, if you don't pay they can deduct it from current benefits or get an attachment of earnings. 

 Only thing they can't do is take you to court for it. 

BigAl94

_shel said:

Yes they can do that, if you don't pay they can deduct it from current benefits or get an attachment of earnings. 

 Only thing they can't do is take you to court for it. 

Firstly the debt would be statute barred after that length of time https://www.northernirelanddebt.co.uk/articles/debt-management-plans/statute-barred-debt-can-creditors-chase-historic-debts
Secondly, in the ordinary course of events if the overpayment is as a result of an administrative error you "may" be asked to pay it back but in reality you don't have to. If the overpayment was a result of wrong information supplied, yes you may have to pay it back but not if statute barred. https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/overpayments-benefits-and-financial-support
If in any doubt contact CAB

[Deleted User]

Government debts can still be collected by the means I stated. Statute barred just means they can't chase it through the court. 

BigAl94

_shel said:

Government debts can still be collected by the means I stated. Statute barred just means they can't chase it through the court. You have to go through the courts to get an attachment of earnings order

[Deleted User]

BigAl94 said:

_shel said:

Government debts can still be collected by the means I stated. Statute barred just means they can't chase it through the court. You have to go through the courts to get an attachment of earnings order

 it's a direct earnings attachment my bad,  no court needed.