I placed my first claim for IS in June, as a newly single parent of an under-5. Since 2010 I have worked one day a week in a clerical post (minus 11m maternity leave). I sent payslips etc in with my claim, awarded around £75/week.
A month or.so ago I had a letter saying they'd reviewed and I was due £25/week "this is due to you providing incorrect information", that I hadn't told them I earned £60-something a week. I rang them, the woman I spoke to told me she couldn't see why they would say that as they'd had all my payslips from the start.
I received a letter today telling me I need to repay over £500, plus a "civic penalty" of £50 because I gave them the wrong info.
I've just spoken to.someone very unhelpful, she just kept repeating that I need to take in payslips for last 4 months to the jobcentre, that I would need to be reassessed etc.
I just don't understand, I gave them all the information they wanted at the start, I have worked my one day only, I don't understand why I am being treated like I've done something wrong when they have clearly miscalculated from the start.
What do I do? I can't afford to pay this back, I if they take my IS I lose my council tax benefit too. I can't stop crying. I can't even do anything about it for a week as my payslips are online, I don't have a computer or.printer so can't print them until next week.