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Benefit overpayment: not able to buy food.

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  • Benefit overpayment: not able to buy food.

    Posting for a friend.

    My best friend and her wife are having real issues. She was overpaid Tax Credits, at present I don't know the exact figure, and the DWP are recovering the amounts at a ridiculous amount. I have no idea what to do for her.
    She works 18hpw due to her mental health not being as good as it could be, her wife works 16 hours per week to care for their son.

    This is the message she sent me:

    I'm up to my eyes in debt
    I owe 3 months rent because I'm 18 hours and they expect me to pay £420 rent and £120 council tax out of £580 wage.
    Kell pays tv license phones and food for month cat and dog food I'm in debt with my water I'm sinking and fast sis I could cry xxx

    She has had her NHS card taken off her and she cannot afford her antidepressants,

    I have contacted National Debtline who couldn't help cos it's a benefit issue, but she literally cannot afford to do a shop. Any ideas would be amazing!

    Cheers

    Callie <3

    PLEASE NOTE: I work irregular hours including nights and sleep in shifts. If I have not responded in 48 hours, please ask an admin to Messenger me!

    "If you ever feel alone, remember, I am just the other side of the rainbow, or just south of the North Star. Whichever is closer." - A.J Murphy. 17/3/1974 - 16/03/1997 (RIP babe <3)
    Tags: None

  • #2
    If she's having trouble repaying hmrc she could ask for a lower repayment plan - https://www.gov.uk/tax-credits-overp...ord-repayments

    She should also contact the water company to see if they have a scheme to help with low income/arrears (most do) - example: https://www.yorkshirewater.com/billi...pay-your-bill/
    Debt is like any other trap, easy enough to get into, but hard enough to get out of.

    It doesn't matter where your journey begins, so long as you begin it...

    recte agens confido

    ~~~~~

    Any advice I provide is given without liability, if you are unsure please seek professional legal guidance.

    I can be emailed if you need my help loading pictures/documents to your thread. My email address is Kati@legalbeagles.info
    But please include a link to your thread so I know who you are.

    Specialist advice can be sought via our sister site JustBeagle

    Comment


    • #3
      also ... she can ask the council to spread her CT bill over 12mths (instead of the usual 10). That'd lower the cost a bit too xx
      Debt is like any other trap, easy enough to get into, but hard enough to get out of.

      It doesn't matter where your journey begins, so long as you begin it...

      recte agens confido

      ~~~~~

      Any advice I provide is given without liability, if you are unsure please seek professional legal guidance.

      I can be emailed if you need my help loading pictures/documents to your thread. My email address is Kati@legalbeagles.info
      But please include a link to your thread so I know who you are.

      Specialist advice can be sought via our sister site JustBeagle

      Comment


      • #4
        and check to see if she could get a 'discretionary housing payment' from the council too (to help with rent payments) - https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-g...ousing-Payment
        Debt is like any other trap, easy enough to get into, but hard enough to get out of.

        It doesn't matter where your journey begins, so long as you begin it...

        recte agens confido

        ~~~~~

        Any advice I provide is given without liability, if you are unsure please seek professional legal guidance.

        I can be emailed if you need my help loading pictures/documents to your thread. My email address is Kati@legalbeagles.info
        But please include a link to your thread so I know who you are.

        Specialist advice can be sought via our sister site JustBeagle

        Comment


        • #5
          you're amazing!
          PLEASE NOTE: I work irregular hours including nights and sleep in shifts. If I have not responded in 48 hours, please ask an admin to Messenger me!

          "If you ever feel alone, remember, I am just the other side of the rainbow, or just south of the North Star. Whichever is closer." - A.J Murphy. 17/3/1974 - 16/03/1997 (RIP babe <3)

          Comment


          • #6
            She should also look into whether she's eligible for any grants etc ...
            http://www.billhelp.uk/housing-grant...ritable-trust/
            http://www.billhelp.uk/save-the-children-grant-scheme/
            http://www.billhelp.uk/grants-from-f...-paying-bills/
            http://www.billhelp.uk/buttle-uk-gra...ople-children/
            http://www.billhelp.uk/grants-help-paying-bills/
            Debt is like any other trap, easy enough to get into, but hard enough to get out of.

            It doesn't matter where your journey begins, so long as you begin it...

            recte agens confido

            ~~~~~

            Any advice I provide is given without liability, if you are unsure please seek professional legal guidance.

            I can be emailed if you need my help loading pictures/documents to your thread. My email address is Kati@legalbeagles.info
            But please include a link to your thread so I know who you are.

            Specialist advice can be sought via our sister site JustBeagle

            Comment


            • #7
              **UPDATE**

              So I went in, armed to the teeth with Kati fantastic information.

              I told her to call HMRC and let me talk to them, which she did. Enter Charlie, an amazing young man from Newcastle who listened to everything I said and checked every single piece of information before telling me... her account is already being recalculated! She should be getting her perscriptions paid again, her money is due to go up and if I call with her again and ask to speak to the Universal Credit team, they can talk me through how to apply for that for her too.

              I have a very happy, and very grateful best friend now!

              Thanks guys!
              PLEASE NOTE: I work irregular hours including nights and sleep in shifts. If I have not responded in 48 hours, please ask an admin to Messenger me!

              "If you ever feel alone, remember, I am just the other side of the rainbow, or just south of the North Star. Whichever is closer." - A.J Murphy. 17/3/1974 - 16/03/1997 (RIP babe <3)

              Comment


              • #8
                Great to hear sometimes just talking to them saves a whole world of stress ( sometimes, on t'other hand, it causes more, but normally they're alright )

                See what they come back with on the recalc.... but at least things are being dealt with and not escalating further.... well done for stepping in to help her, and Kati for the info xxxx
                #staysafestayhome

                Any support I provide is offered without liability, if you are unsure please seek professional legal guidance.

                Received a Court Claim? Read >>>>> First Steps

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by slainte caragh View Post
                  **UPDATE**

                  So I went in, armed to the teeth with Kati fantastic information.

                  I told her to call HMRC and let me talk to them, which she did. Enter Charlie, an amazing young man from Newcastle who listened to everything I said and checked every single piece of information before telling me... her account is already being recalculated! She should be getting her perscriptions paid again, her money is due to go up and if I call with her again and ask to speak to the Universal Credit team, they can talk me through how to apply for that for her too.

                  I have a very happy, and very grateful best friend now!

                  Thanks guys!
                  So glad I helped SC xx
                  Debt is like any other trap, easy enough to get into, but hard enough to get out of.

                  It doesn't matter where your journey begins, so long as you begin it...

                  recte agens confido

                  ~~~~~

                  Any advice I provide is given without liability, if you are unsure please seek professional legal guidance.

                  I can be emailed if you need my help loading pictures/documents to your thread. My email address is Kati@legalbeagles.info
                  But please include a link to your thread so I know who you are.

                  Specialist advice can be sought via our sister site JustBeagle

                  Comment

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