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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Old job overpaid me by £1,000 aibu not to pay it back?

85 replies

redbedgg · 29/04/2021 19:39

I was in the support group up until the 19th of march on ESA due to mental health (I won't get into details but haven't been well)
I started job the 22nd March.
I wanted a normal life and applied for a job and got it in a large call centre.
I realised it wasn't for me and my mental health wasn't right so after a day I left.
I knew I wasn't well enough.
I couldn't go back on to ESA so had to make a universal credit claim.

I worked 1 day.
At the end of the month I checked my bank and had been paid £1,000 for a full month.
I rang HR straight away and told them what had happened and asked them how I pay it back.
Now any income that is reported to HMRC reduces your UC.
I asked them to do a correction and change my leaving date (as they had put the wrong date )
They said they would.
A month later nothing.
I rang them and they said we have input new details.
They have now input £19 but added that with the date "30th April"and put down my leaving date as the 30th April but haven't corrected my income.

UC have told me my payment this month is £0.00 because of the income showed on HMRC.
I've asked my old employer if I bank transfer this £1,000 will you change my income details or I don't receive a payment.
They've said they can't do it and they aren't telling me what the £19 they've listed is in April.
They've messed everything up.

Aibu to say until you fix your error I'm not paying this £1,000 back.
I have no money for food or rent or bills.
I haven't touched the £1,000
All I want is for them to input the correct details.
Aibu here ?

OP posts:
User0ne · 29/04/2021 20:15

You do have to pay it back but not immediately. No court/judge is going to be sympathetic to your employer.

I recommend putting in writing that you will pay the money back as soon as you have funds to do so. That this means they need to rectify their error with HMRC so that you can receive your UC payment.

Original poster
redbedgg · 29/04/2021 20:18

I will write a letter also.
In the past month I've sent 10 emails to pay roll all either ignored or a reply saying there's nothing more they can do.
I rang HMRC who told me they can easily correct the details.
I don't want to keep the money I haven't earned..I wouldn't have contacted them to tell them if that was the case.
I just want everything sorted

OP posts:
MintyMabel · 29/04/2021 20:21

I would use the money if I needed to, but first, send them an email outlining that they have been unable to correct the error and how that has impacted your UC payment, leaving you with nothing. In which case you’ll have to use their £1000 so if they want it back at a future date it will have to be by installments.

Throwntothewolves · 29/04/2021 20:35

So I'm guessing when they do correct the error you'll get a £1000 payment from UC to cover what you should have got, and you'll owe your former employer £1000. At that point you pay the full amount back. In the mean time hang on to it until the error is rectified. Just be prepared to pay it back as soon as it is and don't be tempted to keep it as 'compensation for their error' or take forever to pay it back.

In future really think hard about the job you're about to start before you do

quizqueen · 29/04/2021 20:41

It really p*sses me off that people can just walk out of a job and then straight on to benefits, paid for out of taxes from other people who don't walk out out of their jobs!

PollyPepper · 29/04/2021 20:46

I have t Jo agree with @quizqueen

You get £800 UC A MONTH, only £200 less than if you worked full time in a job that you decided wasn't for you and left after a day?? Why would you work, I feel like a mug.

PollyPepper · 29/04/2021 20:47

I don't want to keep the money I haven't earned..I

But you've earned Universal credit? Hmm

Original poster
redbedgg · 29/04/2021 20:48

I've worked for many many years.
I claimed ESA as my mental health is a miss due to reasons I don't have to explain.

OP posts:
Original poster
redbedgg · 29/04/2021 20:48

*mess

OP posts:
CornishTiger · 29/04/2021 20:51

@quizqueen

It really p*sses me off that people can just walk out of a job and then straight on to benefits, paid for out of taxes from other people who don't walk out out of their jobs!
Oh piss off and do one. I work full time as does my husband in professional jobs. We qualify for UC too.
CornishTiger · 29/04/2021 20:53

OP. They need to report it right or you don’t pay it back. I very much doubt they’d take legal action based on how proactive you’ve been and the financial loss you’ve incurred.

Ontheboardwalk · 29/04/2021 20:53

@sunlight81

Use £800 of the money (which would be ur UC payment) for food and to live.

When the company correct their mistake and ask for their money back give the £200 straight away and offer the £800 once ur UC correction payment is made 👍🏻

This.

Don’t leave yourself with no money because of their mistake

Sowhatywhaty · 29/04/2021 21:10

Keep evidence of e-mails, note dates / times of phone calls. Spend the money as you need. You are not well, their error has put you into hardship.

Hope you feel better soon Thanks

LittleOwl153 · 29/04/2021 21:14

My guess is that it is because its March they've messed up - I.e. end of the tax year and now all the end of year returns have been made. They need to understand how to properly roll this back - but more likely they outsource their payroll and it would cost them more than the messed up payment to correct it.

I would definately hold onto it until you have a corrected payslip, confirmation that hmrc have received the revision so they can now pay your universal credit - as I assume there is only so long they will hold it open - and an invoice from them for the money. If you need to use it to live then use what UC would have paid. Their mistake they will have to sort and wait until they do for their money back.

MyDcAreMarvel · 29/04/2021 21:19

@quizqueen It really psses me off that people can just walk out of a job and then straight on to benefits, paid for out of taxes from other people who don't walk out out of their jobs!*
It really pisses me off that people who are too unwell to work are forced onto UC rather than ESA, and then have to deal with a stressful situation caused by their employer.

GlamourSpider · 29/04/2021 21:20

@sunlight81

Use £800 of the money (which would be ur UC payment) for food and to live.

When the company correct their mistake and ask for their money back give the £200 straight away and offer the £800 once ur UC correction payment is made 👍🏻

This
EHCP · 29/04/2021 21:22

@quizqueen

It really p*sses me off that people can just walk out of a job and then straight on to benefits, paid for out of taxes from other people who don't walk out out of their jobs!
I see you deliberately ignored the OP explaining they weren't mentally well in the first place but pushed herself to find a job because she desperately wanted a normal life and to work.

That is to be admired, if anything. Certainly not judged.

OP - it didn't work out and I can completely understand why. I have been in the same position, not being mentally well but desperately wanting a normal life so pushed myself into an unsuitable job because I thought it might help. Well done for trying regardless.

WRT the money I would do as PP suggested, keep £800 of it for now (or the equivalent of whatever your UC was) and repay the £200 at the same time. Put it in writing what you've done and why, then repay the £800 as soon as feasibly possible.

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 29/04/2021 21:27

@quizqueen

It really p*sses me off that people can just walk out of a job and then straight on to benefits, paid for out of taxes from other people who don't walk out out of their jobs!
What would you prefer people with a disability should do? Starve and die om the streets FFS.
lifeissweet · 29/04/2021 21:31

@quizqueen

It really p*sses me off that people can just walk out of a job and then straight on to benefits, paid for out of taxes from other people who don't walk out out of their jobs!
Yeah. Bring back the work houses and the asylums.

Seriously, OP's situation is exactly why we have a benefit system in a civilised democracy. No one should live in dire poverty because they are unwell. No one. UC is a pitifully small amount too.

Marble2302 · 29/04/2021 21:31

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Missc2001 · 29/04/2021 21:41

@redbedgg You can register for a government gateway account, check your income tax details and notify HMRC of an error for the last tax year. In comment box explain that they have not amended your income details as discussed, and HMRC will write to them, to which they have to reply.

Original poster
redbedgg · 29/04/2021 21:45

I get £800 a month UC
£350 is for my rent
£80 is for my gas and electric
£20 is for water rates

I'm left with £350 for food and other bills including phones /broadband etc

I hate the way my mental health is ,I applied for the job because I wanted my life back.
I couldn't cope with it ..that's it

OP posts:
CirqueDeMorgue · 29/04/2021 21:46

@quizqueen

It really p*sses me off that people can just walk out of a job and then straight on to benefits, paid for out of taxes from other people who don't walk out out of their jobs!
Benefits are a safety net for people who can't work. 🙄
EHCP · 29/04/2021 21:46

You do not need to continue to explain yourself OP.

You tried, which is more than can be said for some (excluding those with MH such as yourself, obviously)

SomebodyThatIUsedToKnow3 · 29/04/2021 21:53

OP can you go and see them in person? Or call and ask to speak to a more senior manager?

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