Law re local authority and statue barred?

HoratioMills

Hello all,

 

I have a debt with my local council which dates from 2013 – which is now over7 years ago. At the time, I was in a bad situation and had no means of repaying the debt.

 

They had sent numerous letters and threats, and had the same from various debt collection companies. I never responded to them and they had disappeared for a while.

 

Today a letter arrived from the council stating they are going directly to my place of employment regarding this. They have referenced Regulation 17 to 30 and schedules 1 and 2 of the Social Security (Overpayments and Recovery) Regulations 2013.

 

What do I do? The debt less than £2,000 and I have started improving my life for the last couple of years and I’ve made many personal sacrifices to straighten everything out. As the debt is over 7 years, can they still pursue me for this? I’d rather work didn’t know about this.

 

Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks all,

 

Lee.

sourcrates

The limitation act only applies to court action, it does not prevent the state from reclaiming benefit overpayments using other methods, such as taking it from your wages, or any other benefit you may claim, even your state pension once you become eligible.

Your best bet is make an arrangement as these type debts do not go away.

fatbelly

It's a Direct Earnings Attachment I think.

The deduction is a percentage on  a sliding scale, depending on how much you earn.

You can try to make an arrangement outside this but I suspect that if the council have the information to go for a DEA that is what they will do.

HoratioMills

Hi all,
I have made an arrangement and it should all be sorted.

Thanks again,
Lee.