QV, I had to be in nearly weekly contact w/our MP, MSP, a Welfare Rights Advisor w/the Action Group My husband is learning disabled. He was NOT working at the time we were overpaid, even at the time we applied, yet the TCO somehow awarded him - w/no employer - WTC with a severe disability element. They also had him on JSA, which he's never had in his life. We spotted these errors back in November, 2003 and repeatedly sent letters via recorded delivery asking them to correct the errors. Every time, we'd receive two award notices, all w/different amounts on them, but none too vastly different - like by thousands of pounds or that. So we had NO idea what the real amount we were supposed to be getting was.
We wrote and wrote, keeping copies of everything.
I even wrote it the errors on our annual reviews and kept copies of those, too.
Finally, in April, 2005, we get these harshly worded letters from HM Revenues and Customs saying we're being investigated for having defrauded the British government. WTF?!
Luckily, I'd saved every bit of correspondence I'd sent over the years. Sent copies of everything, including bank statements showing tax credit payments, P60s, MY wage slips (DH never worked till June, 2005 after they'd yanked our credits and left us living on £13,000/pa before taxes), etc. to MP, MSP, Adjudicator, Welfare Rights Advisor, etc.
Finally had appeal upheld last week, that the error was theirs and they'd cancelled our 'debt'.
Plus £100 of compensation.
Got CTC back, but now make too much for WTC.
Start writing to your MP, Adjudicator, etc. NOW! Don't take it lying down if it's their fault and you have proof you were honest and did everything above board.
Don't do business w/them on the phone, either. Recorded delivery letters only.
We were made to feel like crooks and common thieves despite being honest. We got into debt trying to keep afloat w/no credits before DH went back to work, argued, were stressed out, etc.
So I really can't suffer people who deliberately cheat.