Tax Credits, NI and Self Assesment...who do you think are to blame?

batgirlbrostol

For over 18months everything to do with our tax credits has gone wrong....we've just found out that it all started when someone else's self assesment form was sent in with an error on the NI number (making it the same as my husbands) which then resulted in the someone MERGING the info DESPITE having completely different Forenames and second initials.
This then got updated to all other DWP departments and the first we know about it is a letter asking if he had left the marital home. Many,MANY phone calls later, I finally get someone to reprint our award notice for 2006/2007 as we have had NO award notices or renewal forms for over a year (or payments) annd it comes through saying WE owe THEM £2100 to pay NOW!!!!
I'm putting in a dispute for this as to me this is crazy!

My question is......I've been told by someone that we may have a claim against them under the data protection act and that I should complain to all three depts involved......but surely they will all just blame the other to try to get out of it being their error? I get the feeling this is going to go on for YEARS!

Has anyone been through a similar situation....

[Deleted User]

batgirlbrostol wrote: »

For over 18months everything to do with our tax credits has gone wrong....we've just found out that it all started when someone else's self assesment form was sent in with an error on the NI number (making it the same as my husbands) which then resulted in the someone MERGING the info DESPITE having completely different Forenames and second initials.
This then got updated to all other DWP departments and the first we know about it is a letter asking if he had left the marital home. Many,MANY phone calls later, I finally get someone to reprint our award notice for 2006/2007 as we have had NO award notices or renewal forms for over a year (or payments) annd it comes through saying WE owe THEM £2100 to pay NOW!!!!
I'm putting in a dispute for this as to me this is crazy!

My question is......I've been told by someone that we may have a claim against them under the data protection act and that I should complain to all three depts involved......but surely they will all just blame the other to try to get out of it being their error? I get the feeling this is going to go on for YEARS!

Has anyone been through a similar situation....

I would have thought the person who put the wrong NI number on the form would be the person who initially caused the mess up.

In regards to tax credits - I am not sure this problem is related.

Submit a quick dispute ASAP and whilst on the phone to TCO ask them to send in writing the full explanation of the overpayment.

This explanation takes around 8-10 weeks to be issued so just a get a dispute in now and even if it comes back as having lost the dispute you can dispute again with further information - the information on the written explanation.

BE warned about the wording on the outcome of the dispute form. It will state that there is no right of appeal - but there is really.

You wouldnt 'appeal' the outcome, you would just be disputing with information that previously wasnt available.

System

Here's me promoting the HMRC Enquiry centres again. But in this instance I really think they should be your next port of call.

The reason is they might be able to correct your tax credit award themselves and note the details on your record and so avoid the necessity of making a dispute. If they can't correct it they can access all the relevant systems and issue you a letter (on headed paper) confirming the self assessment mess which you can send to TCO with your dispute.

This link will help you find your local centre. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/enq/main.htm

You need to make an appointment and bring 1 form of photographic ID and 1 confirming your address with you.