Newish WTC's means I've overclaimed FSM - HELP!

[CharlottesMum2006]

Single parent of 13 year old. Back in Nov 2019 my working hours increased from 9.5 (claiming ONLY CTC); to 17 hours and transfer to WTC. This morning I received my yearly FSM "your FSM will continue" letter (which I actually read, a first). It says because I claim WTC my DD is no longer entitled to FSM. After Googling I get this, but think it's unfair as don't earn the £16,000+ I could if I was just claiming CTC. Also if I was on UC (no way) it looks as if there would be some kind of FSM protection even if my hours increased. So, in a nutshell, I phoned to let them know (better to face it head on) and i think they are going to ask me to repay FSM from Nov, including of course the Summer FSM benefit.

I would like to gather as much ammunition as I can to fight against paying back any arrears and hopefully find a loophole to say my DD can continue FSM somehow. Anyone else been in this position; or have any good ideas?

Have you done the calculations to check if you would be better off on UC? I don't think there are any loopholes I'm afraid. Its unfair but its always been the case that you can't get FSM and WTC. Can you evidence that it would put you into serious financial hardship to pay back what they are asking for?

Unfortunately, if you had been on Universal Credit when you worked for 9.5 hours, you would keep FSM until she finished secondary school. But because you were on CTC, that protection doesn't apply. There is no workaround. There is no solution. Even now, if your 17 hours puts you over £7400, which even at minimum wage it will (presuming you're over 21), then you wouldn't get FSM under UC.