(UK) anyone offer me advice on debt issue?

[Shetland]

essentially, my parents have been recieving too much money (benefits) and have been ordered to pay back 6 years of it or something, they did not know they were getting too much - an advice bureau had sorted it out for them and it seems it was all wrong and lead to this, as i understand it.

what can they do?

thanks,

Shetland.

[+John Teacake MVC]

Pleed poverty like every ****er else and then it will just get wiped clean either that or you will pay it back at the rate of 10p per week. Honestly mate I wouldn't worry about it no one else seems to be worrying their debt.

[Brodel]

You will probably need to post more details with regards to what the advice bureau sorted etc. It might be worth posting over at the money saving expert forums too as they are more money minded and might be more able to help. http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/

[_bobcat_ Veteran]

The sods have done this to a lot of people on tax credits, who then end up worse off in return for trying to earn a living.

I also think your parents need to go back to the bureau and plead poverty.

[Panacik]

Same happened to my sister mate. Just another typical Government blunder to be honest.

[BGM]

yet another reason why i don't trust any thing to do with the government

with regards to the issue, find out how much it is you owe, and then the governemtn will organise a method to repay it without leaving you too out of pocket. as a previous post said it will probs be at some stupidly low rate meaning a) it wont be a burden but 2) it will probably never be paid off

:/

[Shaun N.]

I actually have a very similar situation as they have stopped all child benefit untill its paid back. They screwed up and paid little bits too much over a while and ended up us owing a consideral amount. So no more benefits for the next few years

Grats Labour :(

Edited June 12, 2008 by shaun2312

[___DaviD___]

I thought they could only ASK you to pay it back and unless the court says otherwise ?

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

This is common now, it's not even a rare issue. A lot of families are now in financial trouble because of this.

My advice would be to talk to your bank manager and explain the issue. Then also let it go to court! I know it sounds wrong but trust me.

The courts will rule that you pay back at your own rate. Moreover, there is a chance it will be thrown out as the error is not yours.

[macf13nd]

This is common now, it's not even a rare issue. A lot of families are now in financial trouble because of this.

My advice would be to talk to your bank manager and explain the issue. Then also let it go to court! I know it sounds wrong but trust me.

The courts will rule that you pay back at your own rate. Moreover, there is a chance it will be thrown out as the error is not yours.

I agree.

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Moreover - I will add this. Don't wait for debt companies to take you to court. Instigate this yourself - tell them you want this to go to court.

[monkey13]

Post the wording of the letter. This is very important. My mother had the same thing with the gov miss-calculating her pension credits and sent her a letter asking for money back. However they were only asking. The letter was worded in such a way that made it sound like she had to pay it back but, because it was their fault not hers they had no legal grounds to get it back. She just ignored the letter and never heard anything again.

[Panacik]

I actually have a very similar situation as they have stopped all chiold benefit untill its paid back. They screwed up and paid little bits too much over a while and ended up being a consideral amount.

Grats Labour :(

Same as my sister. She ended up owing ?700. She paid half of it, then they told her they made a mistake and they actually had owed her money.

After demanding she pays it all and threatening court action etc, it then took THEM 2 months to start the refund process. It sucks the way our government treats us:((