UC taking tax credits overpayment issue

[DWPmisery1972]

I’ll keep it brief- my husband and I are estranged, have been split for well over a year now. When we were together, our tax credits claim was in both our names but went into his account, but when we split he failed to cancel the claim (he had the passwords and online account details - he was financially abusive, I won’t go into that).

Anyway fast forward to now, he’s up on a charge of assault against me, I’m working towards getting a divorce, and today I check my universal credit payment and lo and behold, I’m being docked £102 for tax credit overpayment. He told me he paid it back when he received it, so he lied. And now because I’m the one still claimIng state benefits, I’m the one that’s being sanctioned. What do I do? I am absolutely furious, I feel so stuck and angry, and he’s taking food out of his kids mouths. ARGH!

Update: UC told me it wasn’t their problem and palmed me off to tax credits, then tax credits after waiting on hold for half an hour then told me that I have to apply online for a reconsideration.

However there may be some good news; my ex has agreed to give me the money I am losing this month and his dad is stepping in and is going to try and make his son pay the debt off himself. So with any luck this will all be dealt with by the next cycle of UC fingers crossed. Thank ye gods for reasonable father in laws eh!