Be grateful for some advice please

slowandsteady_2

Evening all hope you are well, thanks for looking.

Im after a bit of info if possible. I currently have a full time job from which i off sick at present, after being signed off for a month. I dont know if will be signed off for longer

Anyway i am planning to go back part time at 16 hrs per week when i do go back as my health is not brilliant and i am not coping very well with life in general let alone a f/t stressful job.

I have checked the entitledto website and based on the income i will receive p/t and the fact my hubby is on JSA at present after redundancy i may be able to get help with housing and council tax benefit.

I was wondering how long a claim takes to go through for both of these benefits? Ive never claimed anything before, but i know it doesnt happen overnight

I am worried about getting into any arrears although i could probably meet the repayments while we wait if im extremely frugal

We also have a 5 mth old baby to support and get CB and basic tax credits

Thanks in advance for any info

angelicmary85

Hiya,

Not sure about HB but I think a claim (in the Highlands anyway) can take 4 to 6 weeks. When you go back to work P/T your TC should go up due to a change in your circumstances. Have you told TC that your hubby is no longer working?

slowandsteady_2

Thankyou. He was made redundant at xmas just before baby came and we sent claim in probably in january so they do know but they base it on the previous year dont they which is a pain. Im lucky to have a half decent job just not well enough to carry on full time but have to do something with myself

hope_for_now

If you have not heard anything and you applied in Jan, I think it is time to chase them up and you should inform them that you are off sick as well.

bestpud

Have you renewed your tax credit award yet? You should hopefully receive an underpayment if you have continued being paid at the old rate. They will pay this in a lump sum after renewal.

Have you called to check they definitely have this new info?

And did your tax credit payments change in April?

slowandsteady_2

We applied for tax credits after baby born and that was set up no problem, i rang before April cos i thought would have to renew but the woman said the computer wasnt saying that an application was on its way but that there may be one on its way right up untill june. She said payments wouldnt stop. I think all we get is the baby element anyway so i dont know if it changes. I really dont understand them, if they base it on last year again will probably be same cos hubby didnt lose his job till xmas and i was on full pay then half plus stat mat pay so no worse off, then only back at work a week (long story) before being signed off sick. I expect full pay this month but cant be certain about after that. Would they increase the tax credits due to our current/soon to be less well off situation even though they base it on last year? How complicated! As far as i know the payments didnt change in April, they go in hubbys account and he said not. I think i'll ring them tommorow see whats happening, i thought id have had to fill something in regardless. Thanks for replies

Macro_3

The length of time taken for your HB/CTB claim to be processed could depend on how you apply. My LA are trialling a scheme where claims that are handed in in person by appointment accompanied by all the required proof are prioritised. This means that these claims are processed within 7 days at the outside - most are actually done same-day. I beleive that Rochdale Met. council are also trialling this, so although I don't know if their lead times are similar it could be well worth going down that route?

bestpud

When you receive you annual renewal and inform them of your actual earnings for last year, you will probably have earned less than you did in the previous year (given you can deduct £100 a week from any maternity pay and you have not worked the whole year).

If you have, and the new income takes you below the threshold for the family element, you will receive the underpayment in a lump sum, and they will adjust this years award to take account of the lower income last year (because they will base this years award on last years actual income).

If you predict your income will be even lower this year, you can choose to tell them this and they will adjust your award accordingly.

However, you will lose the £25k income disregard if you do lower your estimated income so it is probably best not to if you can manage. If you do lower your income then make sure you tell them immediately if you look likely to go over your estimate or you will receive an overpayment.