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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

?job seekers allowance overpayment?

7 replies

Deathraystare · 18/09/2014 07:22

HI probably not the best place to put this but not sure where else.

I got a letter saying I had been overpayed and that they would be taking 2 lots of money from my JSA. Ok but, I now get a letter stating I need to pay back £916.30!!! There is a list of dates on the back of the page:

06/10/14 £21.90 then it goes to 02/05/2016 and onwards despite in a former letter saying my JSA will stop in December!!!

I admit I don't check what goes in the account every Thursday (fortnight??) as at the moment I am still in mum's place, there is plenty of food that I stockpiled when she was still here and I rarely go out. I have a some money in a bank account for my rent back home and am paying a few bills here as well.

Anyway, when I have gone and got money out of that account (kept in a separate account) the money seems right. I am only getting the basic JSA -no extras. Ok I am going to check my statements to see exactly how much I get.

Has anyone else had this happen to them? What if they are wrong, how easy is it to get this sorted out??? I was very upset about it last night and up to 3am worrying.

What has made me upset is that although I was redundant in August, I have only claimed since late June/early July as I was caring for my mother. I did not even claim as a carer and now I am being made to feel like a criminal!

I did ring up regarding the last letter (before this) and they weren't very forthcoming, just said it was an overpayment (it did not say £916.30 though. In the past when I have been out of work, I have had 'over payment letters' but not like this with details of debt manangement on the front of the letter!!!

Anyone else been through this??? What happend???

OP posts:
TestingTestingWonTooFree · 18/09/2014 07:28

Go and see CAB.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 18/09/2014 07:29

If you want to appeal you've only got a month from their decision to do it.

Gatekeeper · 18/09/2014 07:31

you need to find out exactly what this overpayment represents as it may not even be correct so either ring up yourself or as Testing says above get CAB to do it for you

londonrach · 18/09/2014 07:32

I think you need to talk to them but from quick read of internet you could have the option of repaying over time. Hope these help but best thing is to pop into the job centre with the letter and arrange a payment plan. Don't ignore this.

www.gov.uk/benefit-overpayments/overview
www.nidirect.gov.uk/what-to-do-if-your-benefit-is-overpaid
forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=3564839

londonrach · 18/09/2014 07:33

Also agree with cab but pop in and see them

Deathraystare · 18/09/2014 07:33

Thanks Ladies. I am going to check at the bank because I don't get regular statements for this account. Then try CAB as phoning these people took ages last time.

OP posts:
TaliZorahVasNormandy · 18/09/2014 08:34

If you've only been claiming for 2 months, then that cant be right, you dont get 916 in 2 months, if you only getting JSA.

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