Latest news with #overpayment
The Sun
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Warning issued for hundreds of thousands who could be owed £1,000s after overpaying essential household bill
AN urgent warning has been issued to hundreds of thousands of households who could be overpaying an essential bill and owed £1,000s. The warning comes from consumer expert Martin Lewis over homes in the wrong council tax band. 1 Council tax is a priority bill which means if it's not paid your local authority has legal power to reclaim it. How much council tax you pay depends on what band you're in, with bands ranging from A to H. However, hundreds of thousands in England and Scotland are in the wrong ones because of inaccurate valuations carried out in 1991. You can challenge your band and not get just your future bills lowered, but a backdated payment for all the time you've been overpaying. In a recent post on X, Martin said hundreds of thousands of households could be owed £1,000s in overpaid council tax back. He said: "It really is quite unbelievable that if you live in England and Scotland the council tax band you are in today is still dictated by a stopgap drive-by valuation done back in 1991 that was only meant to last a couple of years. He added: "Up to 400,000 homes are in the wrong band. And if you're in the wrong band and you challenge it not only can you get it lowered, you can get a backdated payout back to when you moved in, or 1991, whichever was sooner." Exactly how much you can get back in overpaid council tax, or how much your future payments are lowered depends on your circumstances. However, one person told The Sun they managed to save hundreds of pounds by challenging theirs. Bear in mind as well, while challenging your council tax band can see your payments lowered, it can also lead to you paying more, so it's worth doing your research. How to Qualify for Free or Discounted Council Tax! How to challenge your band You should start by checking what band you are in first. If you live in England, you can do this by entering your postcode or address into the government's website here - Households in Scotland can find out their band via the Scottish Assessor's website here - If you find out you are in the wrong council tax band, you can then challenge it through the links above. In England and Wales, you can also call or email the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) to challenge your band. The number for those in England is 0300 0501 501 and 0300 0505 505 for those in Wales. There are further instructions on the Government's website on how to do this. Make sure you don't just challenge your council tax band without doing any research. Find out what bands neighbouring properties in your area are in. If they are in lower bands to you, it could be that you're paying too much. If the VOA agrees that your property is in the wrong band, it will contact you letting you know, usually within a few days. But it can take up to 28 days if they need to check there's enough evidence to review your challenge. Overall, it can take up to two months to review a challenge. If you aren't happy with the VOA's decision, you can appeal your case - but only if you've been told that you can when you get the decision. Bear in mind, any appeals have to be launched within three months of your decision - you can do this via the Valuation Tribunal Service. If the Valuation Tribunal agrees with you, it will get the VOA to change your band - and your bill will change. How to save money on Council Tax ONE of the biggest household bills you need to pay is Council Tax. How much you pay will depend on the value of your home, but Senior Consumer Reporter Olivia Marshall explains how you can save. Check for discounts Not everyone pays council tax. If you have someone who's living with you and they don't count, you could get 25% off your bill. This includes full-time students, people on certain apprentice schemes, a live-in carer looking after someone else and student nurses. If you live on your own you can claim a discount of 25%. You'll have to apply for the discount on your local authority's website and can check eligibility at Help for disabled people People with certain disabilities can get a discount of up to 100%. This applies to anyone considered severely mentally impaired (SMI) which includes conditions such as dementia, Parkinson's or learning difficulties resulting from a stroke. If you're living with someone affected by SMI then you could qualify for a discount too, To be considered, a GP needs to certify the SMI and typically they will need to be receiving at least one type of benefit such as attendance allowance or personal independence payments. Again, you can check your eligibility or a family member's and apply on your local council's website. If you're on a low income If you're on a low income or benefits, you might be able to claim a council tax reduction of up to 100%. This means you pay no council tax at all. You can apply if you own your home or rent, and if you are unemployed or working. But the rules vary between councils so you will need to contact yours to find out what you can get.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'I Feel Scared' — 65-Year-Old Widow Hit With $70K Social Security Bill A Decade After Husband's Death, He Called SSA 'Constantly' To Fix Overpayment
Grief alone is enough. But imagine adding a five-figure bill from the federal government on top of it. That's what Ruth Podmanik, a 65-year-old widow from Sheffield Lake, Ohio, is dealing with—more than a decade after her husband passed away. In an interview with WEWS-TV in Cleveland, Ruth shared her story: her husband Ed died in 2012 after battling leukemia. Now, she's being told she owes the Social Security Administration nearly $70,000 in alleged overpayments tied to him. "He liked spending time with his family and especially my grandson," Ruth said. "He was a good guy and I really miss him." Don't Miss: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – The issue? While Ed was out of work during treatment, he received disability payments. But when he eventually returned to work, the checks kept coming—and not because he wanted them to. "Did he ever question...," the reporter began. "Yes, he called them constantly," Ruth said. "(He) said 'I'm back to work. Why am I getting this?' They said because you have Leukemia." That was over a decade ago. And no one said anything—until now. Ruth recently retired and applied for her husband's Social Security benefits. That's when she was blindsided with a notice from the SSA: they want $69,087.50 back. "Not once did they say anything to me about, 'Hey, you know you still got an overpayment here?'" she told WEWS, pointing to the document. Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — Now, she's stuck in bureaucratic limbo, still waiting for clarity and fearing what's next. "I feel scared," she said. "Am I going to have to sell my house?" While Ruth's case is deeply personal, it points to a broader question: how do these overpayments happen at all—and why are some being discovered so long after the fact? According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Social Security has a payment accuracy rate of over 99%, with only 0.3% of benefit payments considered improper. That statistic—backed by government-reported data—suggests most payments are accurate. But when something does go wrong, it's often due to what advocates and policy experts say are administrative delays, outdated systems, or communication breakdowns inside the SSA. In cases like Ruth's, the system may have failed to properly flag her husband's return to work, despite his reported efforts to notify the agency. It's a scenario that legal aid groups say happens more often than the public realizes—not because of fraud, but because of bureaucracy. And while the mistake occurred years ago, the collection effort is still legally sound. The SSA has specific timeframes to determine overpayments: Title II (Social Security retirement, survivors, disability): The SSA generally has four years to reopen or revise a previous benefits decision. Supplemental Security Income: The timeframe is two periods are outlined in SSA regulations and are intended to limit the window for reassessing benefit determinations. However, once an overpayment is identified within these timeframes, the SSA can pursue recovery indefinitely. There is no statute of limitations on collecting overpayments, meaning the agency can seek repayment years, even decades, later. This policy has led to situations where beneficiaries are notified of overpayments long after the fact, as highlighted in a CBS News report. The SSA provides an appeal process, waiver options, and payment plans—but in many cases, the burden is on beneficiaries to prove they're not at fault. For Ruth, the paperwork, confusion, and stress keep piling up. She's grieving, retired, and now staring down a bill that she and her husband tried to prevent from the start. And she's not the only one asking: if he called "constantly," why is she the one being left to clean it up? Read Next: Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal:. 'Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. Image: Shutterstock UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article 'I Feel Scared' — 65-Year-Old Widow Hit With $70K Social Security Bill A Decade After Husband's Death, He Called SSA 'Constantly' To Fix Overpayment originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Social Security Change Means You Could Owe Money
Major changes are happening right now at the Social Security Administration (SSA). For some retirees and beneficiaries, these changes could come with an unexpected price tag. Read More: Try This: A recent policy update means certain beneficiaries who were overpaid may now find themselves owing money back to the government. In March, the SSA announced it would reinstate the overpayment recovery rate and withhold 100% of a person's monthly benefit to recover overpayments. After facing criticism, the agency stated in an emergency message that it adjusted the default withholding rate to 50% for some recipients. These updates are part of a broader effort to overhaul how the SSA handles overpayments, but many Americans are left wondering what it means for them. Here's what you need to know about the new rules, who's most affected and how to prepare. Effective Apr. 25, 2025, overpayment notices will include a new default withholding rate of 50% of a person's monthly Social Security (Title II) benefit, down from the previous 100%. This applies to those receiving retirement, survivors and disability insurance benefits. This means that if the SSA determines an individual has been overpaid, it will send a notice requesting a full and immediate refund. If the individual does not respond within approximately 90 days, the SSA will begin withholding 50% of their monthly benefits until the overpayment is fully recovered. The new rule only applies to Title II benefits. The withholding rate for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits is still 10%. Find Out: Any beneficiary may owe the Social Security Administration money if their monthly benefit checks are more than what they're owed. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as if a beneficiary doesn't report a change in their circumstances to the SSA, if the agency doesn't process information quickly or has errors in its data, CNBC reported. Richard Fiesta, executive director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, explained to CNBC that in most cases, it wasn't the beneficiary's fault that they were overpaid. Beneficiaries have the right to request a lower withholding rate, a reconsideration or a waiver of the overpayment recovery within 90 days of receiving the overpayment notice. If no action is taken, the 50% withholding will commence after this period if there's no fraud or similar fault until the agency recovers the overpayment. However, there is no guarantee that payment negotiation will be successful, and the outcomes vary, Kate Lang, director of federal income security at Justice in Aging, explained to CNBC. Beneficiaries can also expect long wait times to make an appointment to visit a Social Security Administration office. More From GOBankingRates How Much Money Is Needed To Be Considered Middle Class in Every State? Warren Buffett: 10 Things Poor People Waste Money OnSocial Security Administration, 'Social Security to Reinstate Overpayment Recovery Rate.' Social Security Administration, 'Change to Title II Overpayment Default Benefit Withholding Rate to 50 Percent Withholding.' CNBC, 'Social Security reduces benefit clawback from 100% to 50% for some; experts still warn of 'devastating' effects.' This article originally appeared on New Social Security Change Means You Could Owe Money Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Irish Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Ryanair seeks to reclaim Spanish pay rise
Ryanair workers have staged a number of strikes across Europe over low pay and working conditions in recent years, but cabin staff in Spain have a new grievance with the company after being informed that they have been overpaid and must therefore return a sum of money to their employer. The money corresponds to a raise workers were given last year following a deal between the CCOO union and Ryanair and which was subsequently struck down by a court after it was contested by a rival union, USO. A new deal was reached, but only covering CCOO members. In a letter sent to those not covered by that union and which has been seen by some media, Ryanair explained that 'this situation created an overpayment situation as you were paid higher salaries in the period October 24 to March 25 that have now been declared null and void'. One such letter published by El Confidencial news site showed that the recipient had been asked to pay back €3,215.95. The letter also offered 'a repayment plan of 12 months ... in order to mitigate the effects that this debt may have in [sic] your salaries', with the corresponding amount to be deducted from the worker's pay over that period. One worker cited by El Confidencial was told they had to pay back €4,133.50, and another was told they owed €2,831.16. READ MORE Those affected were offered a way out: to join the CCOO union, which represented 40 per cent of Ryanair workers in Spain when the letters were sent out. An initial deadline of early May to join the union in order to avoid having to pay back the money was then extended to May 19. The USO union has recommended that its members should not agree to pay back the money from the wage increase. This week, Ryanair reported a 16 per cent drop in profits for the last year, attributed in part to a dispute with online travel operators which pushed fares down and a dip in demand.
Phone Arena
21-05-2025
- Business
- Phone Arena
If you closed your account and T-Mobile won't refund money it owes you, here's what you need to do
If you've ported out of T-Mobile, or are planning on leaving the Un-carrier, try not to overpay before you cancel your account and leave T-Mobile for good. That's because the way T-Mobile handles an account that has been closed you might never get back the amount you overpaid the carrier. To add insult to injury, T-Mobile will continue to send you your statement each month showing you with a credit that you'd be entitled to receive but might never actually end up in your bank account. For example, a Reddit subscriber with the user name gsmarquis mentioned that he left T-Mobile for an unnamed wireless provider with a plan priced at half the cost of his T-Mobile plan. After receiving a bill from T-Mobile for $75, which he paid, the Redditor received a bill showing that he had a credit of $47.69. Despite having overpaid T-Mobile and receiving invoices to prove it, the former T-Mobile customer was unable to get his money back. The excuse made by the carrier was that the subscriber no longer had a T-Mobile account, which prevented the wireless provider from verifying an account that no longer exists. The former customer couldn't remember his PIN, and without that, once the account was cancelled, his identity couldn't be verified. No verification means no check could be cut by T-Mobile for the credit the carrier owed its former customer. This happened to another T-Mobile customer who was owed a refund but had a cancelled account and he too could not remember his PIN. But this guy went to T-Mobile 's elite customer service team, T-Force. We've seen many situations mentioned on social media where a T-Mobile customer could not get satisfaction from the carrier's traditional customer service and had to turn to T-Force to come out on top. In this case, T-Force was able to verify this customer's account and process the refund to the card it was made from. Keeping in mind that you have T-Force as a backstop, if you are a subscriber, make sure you have your T-Mobile PIN memorized. Also, try not to close your account and leave T-Mobile before you are paid back for any overpayments you might have made. If you've closed your T-Mobile account with a balance in your favor and can't remember your account PIN, the carrier will probably not make you whole. If you're in this situation, contact T-Force via X by sending a Direct Message (DM) to @TMobileHelp. Explain the complete situation in your DM and include your phone number.
