Thanks guys, I know I have a slim to NIL chance of winning this but feel I should at least try. The reason the payslips were different to the amount on the form is because I had been made redundant from one job (the one where my tax allowance was used - the remaining job was at basic rate tax, hence the low nett pay). I'll give it a go, it MAY help others who don't fully understand the system etc. My additional argument is why bother with asking on a form if the information is disregarded? All I wanted was a helping hand while I found more work, now I have found more work I'm landed with a £3,500 debt!! It surely doesn't pay to be a hard working honest citizen I'll post the result of the tribunal (which may not happen for a few months yet as I don't even have date!)

Basically I completed a claim form in July 2010 stating my earnings as £722 nett pay As requested I enclosed my last two payslips which showed £626 nett pay (BR tax had been applied). Benefits office calculated benefit on the amounts on the payslips, which I was unaware of until I recently received a copy of all paperwork. I did not understand the award letter so assumed the calculations to be correct and made rent and CTax payment amounts as shown. Following award letters I treated the same- paying what I was told I had to pay. After a benefit review in Dec 2012 I was told I owed over £2,600 housing benefit and over £880 in CTax benefit. Bearing in mind my income in July 2010 was £722 nett and only reached the sum of £785 nett in Dec 2012 after a 3% payrise, I wondered how this huge amount of "overpayment" could have happened! It is only now, after failed appeals and requesting a tribunal hearing that I understand how these amounts came about, that they used the payslip figures rather than the declared figure on the form. I know this now as I have copies of original claim etc. I have been told that I should have spotted their error from the very first award letter which states "weekly income". I understood the "weekly income" to be an amount that can be taken into account for benefit purposes and not literally my "weekly income". I also hope to argue the "Notify us of any changes in CIRCUMSTANCES" statement at the bottom of letters as my circumstances had not changed - I was still only working two days a week and living in the same council flat. WHY don't they say "Changes in Income and/or circumstances"???? I am fully aware NOW that as my income increased, either because of a miniscule pay increase or annual budget tax code allowances being increased, I should have informed the benefits office. Is there anyone out there think I have a chance of winning my appeal? or can advise me of how to present my case at the tribunal?? Please?? Jan