I don't know the maths behind it all, but given my salary has been £15k and I live in London then perhaps I could have been entitled to something, I don't know. Thanks for your help though, I'll let you know how I get on. Think I'll write to them suggesting they answer my questions before we go to tribunal!

I understand that much, but as far as I could see, me giving the statements was admitting that I owed them money. They still hadn't provided any acknowledgement of previous points I had raised. So to be sure, you suggest either going to the tribunal, or writing again suggesting we come to an agreement? I guess I provide the details they've requested whilst again making a point of them ignoring my previous questions/points?

So here is where we now stand. I wrote to them explaining that I wouldn't be suplpying my bank statements and wage slips because they have refused to so much as acknoledge two of my points from my first letter. I have of course, referred to these in every letter since. I said that until these points have been addressed I am arguing that I owe anything at all based on the information they provided me when originally cancelling the claim. Anywhere, their retort was somewhat short. They have still in no means ecen acknowledged the points I have repeatedly asked to have explained. Instead they have written to say that I have refused the opportunity to supply the information they requested (wage slips et al (what about the info I have requested, repeatedly!?!?)) and therefore they will not help in trying to make the 'amount owed' any less. In fact, they are taking this to a tribunal and shall be in touch with the date of the hearing shortly. Now, what do I do and where do I stand here? I am starting university in September so getting a day off is out of the questio, I feel I need to tell them this yet again. Also, they still haven't answered my questions. Do I simply wait for the tribunal, or write once again explaining that they have continued to ignore my points and it simply needs for these to be considered making a tribunal unnecessary? I also want to write that the paper trail will back up the fact that they have constantly ignored my first questions since day one and therefore they wouldn't be in a good positions during said tribunal. What do we think? Sorry to be a pain. Oh, and what exactly does a tribunal entail here? My understanding is based on football and fee setting only... would it be a similar case here? Thanks again everybody!

That's exactly the issue I have. It will almost certainly be their admin error, but they can still claim it back based for the reasons Erika suggests. I'm playing the long game as it stands, I am definitely going to uni in September, so as long as I can at least get out of paying it back until I secure work after my course, I'll be happy. It still frustrates me that I need to pay it back regardless to be honest, I was obviously led to believe that I was entitled to the money. Just makes me angry that I didn't claim from the day I was unemployed as I wouldn't be in this situation now. My current scenario is that I have sent them another letter saying that they have STILL refused to acknowledge my points and as a result I will not be sending them any wage slips/bank statements as I don't believe I should have to pay the money back. I have in my head that sending through the information they've requested would be going a long way to admitting defeat. Again, I'll keep everyone posted and thanks to all those who have provided helpful information.

Thanks Erika. It seems I find myself in an interesting predicament. I was told not to worry, that the payments would stop when they were supposed to. The problem is that I did this over the phone and have no record of it. Naturally this will then be difficult to prove. Obviously I don't mind paying back what I'm not entitled to (of course, I'd rather not!) but my main concern is that because I'm returning to university, I will have very little, or zero income. If I do need to pay this back, does anyone know how one could perhaps deter any payment until I have an income? Sorry to be a pain, I'm really worried about this and don't want to be in a situation where I can't go to uni. Thanks again for all your help.

Cheers for the insight, obviously best to stay grounded and not get too ahead of myself. Sorry they forced your hand.

Hi Paul, That's exactly the reason they've given, although they're saying that the claim IS recoverable because of an official error. Do I just stand my ground and wait for them to make their move? For example, explain that it ISN'T recoverable because it is THEIR error? Thank you so much for your help, really do appreciate it guys!

Hi Lone_Ranger, Thanks for your info, they've effectively given me that option, the problem with it is I will have no (or very very little) income next year as I am returning to university. Obviously I don't want to commit to paying an amount I cannot afford. I guess my point is that I'm asking if there's any way from paying this back either a) altogether - being it was their fault. Or b) once I obtain full time employment after my university course (1 year)? Thanks for your input

Update: I have literally just got the good news that my place at university has been confirmed for September this year.

Hi People, I was just looking for some help if possible on how best to argue my case. I was receiving jobseekers, housing and council tax benefit for a period of time, and when I returned to work, I sent an email to the council informing them I was back in work and so forth. My jobseekers allowance stopped, but I kept receiving benefits. I called them to ask if this was right (I didn't start claiming anything until a few months of unemployment) and I was told yes, no problem, it'll stop when it's supposed to. Anyway, the council are now wanting it back and I can't afford it. Where do I stand here? I have challenged this on several counts: i) Not being financially able to do so. (I only earn £15k pa). ii) I aim to return to university in September. iii) I had informed them of my return to work and it's their fault. I have argued this and had a couple of letters back and forth (they basically ignored point i+ii, and said that point iii is irrelevant and I should have known better. As the case stands, they have requested 4 months worth of bank statements and pay slips from me. I have 14 days to reply to them. Any help as to how I should proceed would be gratefully received. Thanks!