How do you know?

SuziQ

if your benefits award is correct? I have had 3 reclaims for incorrect child tax benefit,one of which is still slowly going through the system as an appeal (which in current climate I expect to lose.)
I am unemployed for the first time in my life,single parent with 3 kids. I have been awarded IS for me and have had an initial child tax credit award-although it's hard to understand as they have taken some away to claim back an overpayment of working tax credit for april (my firm went bust part way through the month.)
I am still waiting to hear re council tax benefit and housing benefit (have been told I will only get this after 8 weeks and then it won't be a lot as my mortgage is repayment and still in joint names.)
I knew I wouldn't get much,the amount looks pretty pitiable especially given the debt I am struggling with,left by husband,which caused the marriage breakdown but is unfortunately in my name (one of those foolish women who trusted someone with bad credit,I'm afraid!)
I have already learnt loads from here-have contacted a debt counsellor (who's first words to me on looking at my debt and benefit award was 'oh dear!')have learnt loads from the money saving tips thread and have cut my spending right down for food etc and have claimed free school dinners etc.
Anything else you experts can advise me about?

[Deleted User]

If you are currently receiving Income Support you should make TCO aware of this as they will suspend the recovery of your overpayments until you start working 16+ hours p/w.

Contact the TCO helpline to advise them if you haven't already - 0845 300 3900 and if you have overpayments from old claims you should contact the overpayment helpline number 0845 302 1429.

Go to saynoto0870.com to try to get landline numbers if you don't want to use an 0845 number. However it is only a local rate call if calling from a landline phone so makes no difference if you call the 0845 number or the landline number.

When you speak to the overpayment helpline you should explain that as you are on IS you cannot afford to start paying it back as yet.

SuziQ

subsoniccoyote wrote: »

If you are currently receiving Income Support you should make TCO aware of this as they will suspend the recovery of your overpayments until you start working 16+ hours p/w.

Contact the TCO helpline to advise them if you haven't already - 0845 300 3900 and if you have overpayments from old claims you should contact the overpayment helpline number 0845 302 1429.

Go to saynoto0870.com to try to get landline numbers if you don't want to use an 0845 number. However it is only a local rate call if calling from a landline phone so makes no difference if you call the 0845 number or the landline number.

When you speak to the overpayment helpline you should explain that as you are on IS you cannot afford to start paying it back as yet.

Many thanks for your reply. My case is complicated by the fact that 19 months down the line, a decision still hasn't been made as to whether I have to repay or not. But.... I get a 'pre-litigation' letter on a regular basis!
When I spoke to overpayments last week, to a) say I haven't had a decision letter yet and b) I am on income support,the girl speaking to me went into robot mode,saying over and over again 'you will have to pay it eventually so you may as well start now'! I asked to be put through to a supervisor and she put the phone down on me. By that time I had been on the phone to them,being passed around from one department to another (I spoke to 7 people in total!)for 2 hours 35 mins. When I phone back I was just told to make a complaint and submit all my info re the appeal again. Sigh.
I will perevere.

[Deleted User]

Speak to your MP regarding the issue.