Tax credit overpayment claim

[valeriej43]

One of my sons has recently been sent a letter claiming he owes tax credit overpayments from 7 years ago, [hes not the only one] the problem is he says he doesnt owe it as he got a very small amout when he had a son living with him, and when the son left, my son contacted Tax credits and informed them, but they are saying he stopped them a month over when he should have done
They are now deducting it at over £40 a month out of his Universal credits,which leaves hin £40 a week to pay bills, plus part rent, and warden service.,
He has ongoing serious health problems including strokes, and mobility issues
Can anyone offer any advice please?

[des8]

Send an SAR to DWP to find out exactly what has been happening.

When they sent him the letter about overpayment it should have set out full details of how, when and why.
If he thinks it is wrong he needs to challege the decision.
The options available are set out well here: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-g...are-my-options

[valeriej43]

Thank you for your reply,he first of all rang the tax credits office, and they just said its out of their hands now and in universal credits hands
The amount is more than i thought it is almost £50 a month, tax credits wont deal with it,but they must have passed it on to UC
He is trying to get details from his place of work as to where he was livibg at the time these tax credIts were supposed to have been given him,
They say its because he was a month over they were due to be reassesed that he has to pay the full previous years back
He could only let them know when it became obvious that he didnt need them anymore, he couldnt tell them before his son left and didnt know his son was leaving
This is happening to so many people,but i will pass n what you have said

[valeriej43]

Hopefully something is being sorted out now about the tax credits situation,the HA is helping him with looking into it,they say they dont think its even legal to pass this[ debt?] onto Universal credits, and leave my son so short of money that he cant afford to pay bills or even enough food,
Also he has made an appointment with our local MP, but doubt he will do anything ,with the reputation he has for being in agreement with everything the Government has done regarding all the cuts etc