Will try and be brief.
Left my job in October 2023 had not received wages from employer since January 2023 (in between had been receiving maternity allowance so not paid by employer)
Closed bank account April 2023 and opened with different bank. Didn't inform employer as they were no longer paying me.
Currently not working as helping care for sick relative, so receive some universal credit to top up partners wage. UC this month shows payment of over 700 from an employer, and therefore my payment for this month has been almost completely wiped out. Contacted HR and they confirmed a payment has been made to my old account (I have to assume this is holiday but hadn't thought I was due anything) and that they cannot pay me until this bounces back. I contacted old bank and they said it's the responsibility of the sender to request the amount back. Hr couldn't do this so directed me to old line manager via email (no idea if they're on leave) No one can tell me how long this will take and without receiving this pay, the reduced UC payment is barely enough to get a week's shopping in (5yr old eats like a horse and a baby in nappies and formula milk)
Is there anything else I can do? I feel helpless just waiting to see if I can afford to eat this month and trying to plan to make sure the children don't go without (I'll go without happily, but not them)
If they have requested the money back can't they take that as enough to re issue me the money?
Thanks for any insight