Housing benefit overpayment

[eastender100]

Hi, im think in the wrong forum so sorry if I am, I just wonder if I can get some advice, the council has decided that I owe £2000 in overpayment, despite having EVERY change of circumstance reported to them, I have all evidence of this, so very worried about this as im not sure what they will do next, I am paying back £10 per month as this is all I can afford, they have refused this and sent me a statement of means and said I have to pay £50 per month, any advice would be very helpful even if you not really sure on advice

Edited February 2, 2015 by eastender100
no replies

[eastender100]

Hi, im think in the wrong forum so sorry if I am, I just wonder if I can get some advice, the council has decided that I owe £2000 in overpayment, despite having EVERY change of circumstance reported to them, I have all evidence of this, so very worried about this as im not sure what they will do next, I am paying back £10 per month as this is all I can afford, they have refused this and sent me a statement of means and said I have to pay £50 per month, any advice would be very helpful even if you not really sure on advice

[antone]

Has the council explained to you how they believe the overpayment has occurred? Also, when were you first notified of this apparent overpayment?

[eastender100]

Hi,

Thank you for replying, It was when I started working and claiming benefit as a single person, my partner hadn't moved in then until the following year, they asked for wage slips which I provided, and then they said it was a little while before they worked the payments out, then I got a letter saying I had been overpaid. They said they were going to take payment off every week which they did. My partner moved in the next year, we were both working part time, I told the council of him moving in and they asked for his wage slips also which I provided also mine again. The problem is it kept getting revised but my partner was not added!! I kept telling them this but they said don't worry its still being reviewed? but still kept getting notices through without him being added.

 

 

They continuously asked me for my wages slips, my partners, proof of child benefit, tax credits etc,

I provided all of these and have 3 written copies of evidence where they were handed in at the counter because they photocopie them and gave me a receipt, also stating when he moved in including dates.

 

 

Then they sent me a letter saying it was suspended because I didn't hand the information in!

 

 

I must add we no longer claim benefit as my partner works full time, I know I have gone over the appeal time but I know you get up to 13 months.

 

 

But my concern is what will they do, im already paying what I can afford, but if they had done there job properly it wouldn't have built up so much, im already paying full council tax plus extra as they messed that up with it. any advice on what they can do would be helpful because when I spoke to them they said balliffs so im really worried.

[SabreSheep]

You need to appeal and find out exactly why they think you have been overpaid

[The GodMother]

Agree with sare

[ploddertom]

Moved to Benefits Forum.