HMRC COLS I think paid in error

ProDave

2 weeks ago, a 3 figure sum landed in our bank account with the reference HMRC COLS

Mr google seemed to tell me this was some cost of living supplement paid to people in receipt of tax credits.

It has been many years since we have qualified for and been paid any tax credits, not since my wife returned to work a few yeas after our daughter was born.  We were not in receipt of tax credits on the qualifying dates that google tells me these COLS payments are for.

Now, having dealt with tax credits before I know how inept they are so nothing would surprise me more than we are "still on the system" despite not qualifying for any tax credits for many years and asking for our tax credits account to be closed because we don't ever expect to qualify for that sort of benefit again.

Then blow me down, not quite 2 weeks since the first COLS payment, another has arrived.

Part of me says do nothing, they might eventually realise the mistake and ask for it back, then again they might not.

I would phone them and discuss it but I know from the past that's an hour lost in a stupid call centre phone system before you get to speak to anyone, who probably does not know anything anyway.  Why should I give myself that much stress for someone else's error.

What would you do, and why?

Brie

Since you don't want to ring them (& I don't blame you for that!) I would suggest you pop a letter in the post (maybe use one of the old non barcoded ones? almost kidding) and say "got these 2 payments on these dates.  Is this correct?"  And wait for them to reply.  Or to send you a demand to repay the amounts.  

Meanwhile put the money to one side as you seem very sure you shouldn't have it.  Might take HMRC a couple of years to rub their brain cell against something to get it working again and you wouldn't want to be told they were adding costs for non payment.  Keep a copy of the letter you send somewhere safe in case they ask why you never told them.  

Newcad

I agree, cover yourself with a letter (get free proof of posting from the PO counter) or email, keeping a record of course

Then just be aware that they may at sometime in future ask for the "overpayment" back, but if you have covered yourself (even if they never reply) they should not be able to add 'penalties'.

ProDave

Even if these payments have been made in error to me, can anyone explain why there would be two of them three weeks apart? What might they actually relate to?  I only suggested tax credit as that is the only benefit I have ever received in the past.

ProDave

Not many replies.

So lets simplify the question.  Ignore for the moment whether I should or should not have received these.

Simple question: can anyone else who has received HMRC COLS payments please tell me when and how much?  It just seems odd even if they think I am entitled to them, to receive two of them 2 weeks apart.  

poppy12345

ProDave said:

Not many replies.

So lets simplify the question.  Ignore for the moment whether I should or should not have received these.

Simple question: can anyone else who has received HMRC COLS payments please tell me when and how much?  It just seems odd even if they think I am entitled to them, to receive two of them 2 weeks apart.  

Full details of all the cost of living payments for 2022 are here. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/cost-of-living

For 2023 the only CoL payment so far was between 2nd and 9th May and it was for £301. Details here. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment#low-income-benefits-and-tax-credits-cost-of-living-payment

ProDave

poppy12345 said:

ProDave said:

Not many replies.

So lets simplify the question.  Ignore for the moment whether I should or should not have received these.

Simple question: can anyone else who has received HMRC COLS payments please tell me when and how much?  It just seems odd even if they think I am entitled to them, to receive two of them 2 weeks apart.  

Full details of all the cost of living payments for 2022 are here. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/cost-of-living

For 2023 the only CoL payment so far was between 2nd and 9th May and it was for £301. Details here. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment#low-income-benefits-and-tax-credits-cost-of-living-payment

Thanks.  So it would appear the 2 payments I have received are the 2022 payments, but for some reason paid a year and a bit late and 2 weeks apart, nowhere near the dates they said they would be paid.

But as I suspected I did not receive any benefits (apart from child benefit) in 2022 or for some years before that.

Jyana

They have been paying them out to people they think should have received them, including those who are executors of estates or hold PoA for others who missed payments back then too. In case something like that may apply to you?