diff --git a/api.py b/api.py
index 78d658c..56219de 100644
--- a/api.py
+++ b/api.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ app = Flask(__name__)
 def verify_payment():
     # Get data from request
     data = request.json
-    benef_name = data.get('benefName')
+    benef_name = data.get('benefName', '').strip().lower()  # Normalize input name
     abs_amount = data.get('absAmount')
     time_str = data.get('time')
 
@@ -53,11 +53,14 @@ def verify_payment():
 
         try:
             tx_time = datetime.strptime(tx_data['trxDate'], "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")
-            time_diff = tx_time - request_time
+            time_diff = abs(tx_time - request_time)
             
-            if (tx_data['benefName'] == benef_name and
+            # Normalize transaction beneficiary name for comparison
+            tx_benef_name = tx_data['benefName'].strip().lower()
+            
+            if (tx_benef_name == benef_name and
                 str(tx_data['absAmount']) == str(abs_amount) and
-                timedelta(0) <= time_diff <= timedelta(minutes=30)):
+                time_diff <= timedelta(minutes=30)):
                 return jsonify({"success": True, "message": "Payment verified"})
         except ValueError as e:
             app.logger.error(f"Error processing transaction: {str(e)}")