How long before you hear from tax credits when you first apply?

missm29

Does anyone know roughly how long tax credits take to get in contact when you very first apply for them? My form was sent off 2 weeks ago, stupidly i never sent it recorded. Do they backdate to when the form was received or just from when they get round to processing it? Not sure how long to leave it before phoning

kerry13238

they pay from the datethey sent you the form it is usually stamped by them. they are very slow at the min if you go on entitled to they give you a good idea of what you will get

sinstar

It can take up to 2 weeks for your claim to appear on the system where helpline advisors can see it, and 4 weeks for a new claim with no problems to process. If there are no issues & it takes longer than this they can get it looked into for you.

If there are any problems with the claim timescales will depend on what those problems are.

beanybop

Hello Missm29

I let them have three weeks from date I posted forms off, then rang the helpline. THey could not trace on the phone, and said they would pass on to someone who would call me back - quess what.... they called back, asked me a question or two, and that was that.

I think my call unearthed my application, and then a week later a load of cheques appeared.

OK, I filled in the form with my bank details, which in a subsequent call they say, "Oh I will look up your application, oh no you have not filled in your bank details, that is why you are getting cheques. Of course I have a copy of my application with the bank details, not sure how they made them disappear.

But in answer to your question, it was backdated to the day they received the applicatio, and then a further 93 days. The whole thing was four weeks from the date they received application to me receiving payment, although I only received cheques then, the calculation/award notice took about another week.

Hope that helps

jonty12

a while! In future always send stuff to them recorded delivery & it seems that getting on the phone & chasing is the only way to get a response. Good luck, it drives me round the bend.