TAX officials are demanding a Kidderminster woman repays £2,500 alleged overpayment of a benefit designed to help low income earners.

But Julia Protheroe claims she was entitled to the working tax credit and accused the Inland Revenue of failing to resolve her case.

Problems started for the 29-year-old receptionist two years ago when she notified the tax office that she was no longer receiving disability living allowance, which she believed would lose her eligibility for the disability element of the working tax credit.

The Inland Revenue carried on paying her the benefit for several more months before demanding the £2,500 repayment which was back-dated.

But Miss Protheroe, of Leswell Lane, discovered in the "small print" that because she was on medication for life she was entitled to the payment.

She said had reached a "total impasse" with the Inland Revenue despite numerous letters and phone calls by both her and the company accountant at the computer firm where she works.

When he followed up his latest letter with a phone call to the helpline he was told all the information was at the Preston head office, but he was not allowed the phone number.

"I have got to the stage where I am totally desperate. I have never thought to do anything like going to a newspaper before," she said.

And she is worried that the year-long deadline for paying the money back is running out as five months have already elapsed while she has been trying to plead her case.

"I would have to get a loan from somewhere because there's no way I could afford to pay such an amount," said Miss Protheroe, adding:

"I have a massive dossier which is all in order. I have done everything I'm supposed to. I am capable of arguing my case and have the support of our company accountant, but I fear for those who don't have that ability or help."

An Inland Revenue spokesman said: "We are unable to comment on individual cases.

"However, we will forward the information to the appropriate office, who will correspond with the claimant."