Withdrawing from Uni, can't afford to repay maintenance!

I started uni last Sept but had to go home two weeks into January as I was suffering from depression. I was signed off sick for two months and formally withdrew about 24th March.
My Uni told me they've backdated the withdrawal date to my last day there in January but the result of this is I've just received a letter from Student Loans asking me to repay £1500 in maintenance payments.

Because I was signed off sick and in no state to even decide what I was going to do, I had left most of my things in my uni room and the rent was paid for the whole spring term, USING the maintenance loan!

If I've used the loan to pay the rent and have no income to repay it now, what do I do? I'm just beginning to come to terms with leaving and getting counseling for my depression, now I'm worried this is going to make me really ill again.

Do I have to pay it back now if I'm not working? If I get a little job will all my wages have to go on this? Or can it be repaid with the rest of the student loan if/when I earn over 21K? Help please! I can't face calling them until I have more info.

Speak to your university - I'm surprised they back dated your withdrawal date and they should have notified SLC of compelling personal reasons which would have given you 60 days funding after your withdrawal date.

Talk to the SLC as soon as possible and explain the situation and that you're struggling with depression. The repayment demand will only be for any "overpayment" - the loan you received you your time at university will be repayable under the usual terms (when you earn over £21k etc). If you explain that you're trying to work with your unviersity to sort out the withdrawal dates and CPR evidence then they're more likely to be sympathetic and patient (they may also be able to help put pressure on your unviersity).