Social Overpayment

[MB28]

Hi all,

 

I've just received a letter from Wright Hassell solicitors. It contained 5 letters with varying amounts owed. I know one of these relates to an overpayment of approx 5000 pounds from 2007 ish. I was given poor advice while doing a degree and two years in was called in for having accepted a student loan. I was originally advised that this would be to cover course costs but was cautioned that this was not the case. I appealed against the decision and hadn't heard anything until now . I'm extremely stressed about this and not sleeping. Can they now demand I pay this back? Will it affect my chance at a mortgage? Any help will beuch appreciated!

[silverfox1961]

Hi and welcome to CAG

 

You say social overpayment? This is confusing. Can you clarify?

 

This 5K. Was it a student loan. Did you make any payment towards it? If yes, when was the last payment?

 

Have you checked your credit file? This will show if anything adverse is on there.

 

If you get a CCJ (county court judgement) this will have an effect on any mortgage for the following 6 years.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

As I read it benefits were paid whilst there was relevant income that affected the right to or the amount of benefit being claimed.

I presume RH are acting on behalf of the DWP?

[MB28]

Reading that back I haven't explained well.

 

During my degree I was in receipt of Income Support as I have a child. I was advised that any funding I received in relation to the course was to cover the cost of studying. 18 months in to the course, I was told by DSS that I wasn't entitled to the money and had to pay it back. I asked that it be looked into again but didn't hear anything back.

 

I had a letter December (6 years later) to say that I owed the money and would go to court if I didn't pay. I called them, they advised that my appeal was disregarded, I asked for the documentation pertaining to this and anything else they had. I was refused, however he also said that I had made payment towards this as it was directly taken from benefit at the time.

 

I have now received the letters saying I will be taken to court. I'm really struggling with what to do about it.

 

Does this make more sense?

[silverfox1961]

The DWP have a duty to supply data if requested.

 

Use their form

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-request-for-personal-information

 

 

 

While debts over 6 years old are Statute Barred, if you claim any benefit now or in the future, they will take it off that.

 

This is what to do with the SAR

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/personal-information-charter

[MB28]

That's great thanks! Sounds as though asking over the phone for the documents was the wrong step. Would any payment they took while I was on benefits stop this from being statute barred? Will they have yto supply everything related to my appeal also?

 

Thanks

[silverfox1961]

So long as you ask for the data, they should supply. they will only supply what you ask for.

[AndyOrch]

Thread moved to the appropriate forum