Tax credits overpayments & Couples

[Orangesandlemons77]

Wondering if anyone knows about this, please.

If you have a tax credits overpayment who do they want to pay it back if you are in a couple? If it was mainly CTC paid to the mother (parents have separate bank accounts but live together) would they expect the mother to then pay it back, or the father if it is his income has risen giving rise to the overpayment in the first place?

Do they look at each of the couple separately or as a whole?

Thanks

They would look at it as a couple as it is a joint claim.

If the couple had separate finances could they arrange to pay it back separately does anyone know? Thanks

Ime they take it back by reducing the payments that it was overpaid to in the first place, regardless of the reason you’ve been over paid.

A long time ago but sounds a similar situation to my DP and I. We had to pay back and it was agreed the same sum would come from each bank account. I'm sure we both paid £80 each a month and I think it was from each bank account. Call them and ask. It's money to both of you so you should both pay it back.

@Caughtavibe might be more correct than me. We should never have received them apparently so they couldn't reduce the monthly amount they gave us.

OK thanks.

OK got a letter summarising the last year and it says they are going to take it out of next years payments...feeling quite anxious though as it is quite a lot in total...I remember we had this a few years back and it did get cleared over several years doing this, however a bit concerned as tax credits are supposed to be finishing in not too long (possibly) and then they might give as a big bill. (not sure if eligible for UC)

With the increase in fuel and food bills etc it's all a bit of a worry.