DSS northern ireland budgeting loan

[theshuffler]

Hi everyone , we have just arrived home from work to find a letter from the DSS regarding an unpaid budgeting loan , the sum is £369.00 we struggled to remember taking the loan as we have both been in full time employment for 5 years , on contacting the office we were told the matter related to feb 2003 . We believe that the deductions were made for this loan from our newly awarded family credit around that time , 6 years ago seems an unusually long time for the DSS to contact us , does the 6 year law still apply even to budgeting loans? Any advice would be appreciated'

 

 

Gerry

[cerberusalert]

The Statute still applies yes although they cannot take any legal enforcement now, but if you claim any future benefits they can still reclaim any previous loans/overpayments & deduct them from benefits.

[theshuffler]

Many thanks , Although my belief is that the debt was cleared i have to find out when they say the last payment was made , hopefully another goverment mix up , but suspicious that someone maybe noticed that the 6 years was coming to an end and have made a last grasp attempt , seeing as this is the first time they have made any contact on the matter.

[cerberusalert]

You can write to them and tell them that to the best of your knowledge this has been paid & would they recheck their files and send you copies of the paperwork.........that'll take an extra couple of weeks;)

[theshuffler]

Leter in the post , will update later cheerz