Has anyone sent their passport off to tax credits before?

twinnymum

Hi all, I got a letter from the tax credits to send my passport into them, I am assuming that it is just to check Im not making a bogus claim. I sent it off last Thursday recorded delivery and was expecting to get it back within a week or two. Just rang them now and they said they could have it for several weeks, which I think is a very long time! I wouldnt be too bothered but I am going away in 6 weeks so I am worried now that I wont have it back in time!

Has anyone sent theirs in recently? How long did it take before you got it back?

Thanks

nottslass_2

twinnymum wrote: »

Hi all, I got a letter from the tax credits to send my passport into them, I am assuming that it is just to check Im not making a bogus claim. I sent it off last Thursday recorded delivery and was expecting to get it back within a week or two. Just rang them now and they said they could have it for several weeks, which I think is a very long time! I wouldnt be too bothered but I am going away in 6 weeks so I am worried now that I wont have it back in time!

Has anyone sent theirs in recently? How long did it take before you got it back?

Thanks

Did they not say why they needed it ? It all sounds a bit strange to me......

I would definately ask why they cannot return it now !!!!

codwidow

We have been claiming TC for 7 years now and never been asked for it, they should be able to verify your identity from your tax records surely ?

lorelai34

I would imagine they have asked for it because you date of birth may be incorrect on your claim. They will deal with passports they receive in date order so its unlikely once they receive it to send it straight back straight away as there may be a backlog. There is a referral the tax credit helpline can send to chase it up if you need it urgently for travel.

AnxiousMum

Have they asked for it maybe because you spend alot of time travelling? Maybe the wish to check border stamps etc. to ensure you are actually spending the majority of your time here in the UK and therefore eligibility for Tax credits?

We had to send our passports into Child Benefits back in 2002 when we first moved here, but that was to show that we actually all had British passports and didn't have 'no recourse to public funds' stamped in a foreign passport.

I would be insisting on it being returned asap - you don't need your passport sitting around on some strangers desk

nottslass_2

lorelai34 wrote: »

I would imagine they have asked for it because you date of birth may be incorrect on your claim. They will deal with passports they receive in date order so its unlikely once they receive it to send it straight back straight away as there may be a backlog. There is a referral the tax credit helpline can send to chase it up if you need it urgently for travel.

Wouldn't they have asked for a birth certificate if they wanted to check a DOB or used national insurance details ?

It just seems really strange as to what need they would have for a passport - after all many people don't have one...........

twinnymum

lorelai34 wrote: »

I would imagine they have asked for it because you date of birth may be incorrect on your claim. They will deal with passports they receive in date order so its unlikely once they receive it to send it straight back straight away as there may be a backlog. There is a referral the tax credit helpline can send to chase it up if you need it urgently for travel.

Thanks everyone,

Well I just rang them and they said my date of birth is showing up as incorrect. I dont know how because I have phoned them and passed through security quite a few times over the last 8 months which is when I started claiming. Now I have to go to my local Inland Revanue office with proof of identity, which makes me laugh because they have my passport!!

I suppose they need to look at their system because I definitely put my DOB correctly and now its going to be a lot of messing about for me! Hopefully I will recieve my passport back ASAP!

pmellin

What ever you do dont send your passport, they lost mine and its impossible to get any idea where it is? its now 12 weeks and they still cant find it, will they pay for a replacement? NO

mortazauk

I have exactly the same issue... they wanted to verify my date of birth (even after having been claiming for over 5 years now!!!)..

I sent in my passport on 26th November and over 2 months later I am still waiting for them to send it back!!! I have called them numerous times but keep getting the same answer.... to wait another week and call back..

They sent off a referral form to the valuables team but still waiting to hear any news and Im getting worried it will never return and need it to book holidays........

twinnymum

Oh no, I already sent my passport in earlier this month!

I also had an appointment with the Inland Revanue where I had to take all of my ID in last week and the advisor said he cant believe that they sent for my passport AND made me go to that appointment. He advised me to ring them there and then and demand to know where my passport was! Long story cut short - I spoke to a manager and he said there was no possible way of finding out where my passport was and that it could take months! Then he had the ordasity to say 'well I wouldnt have booked a holiday and sent my passport off'! How rude, the holiday was booked and paid for as a surprise from our parents and I had no idea that they would be so incompetant and probably lose my passport!

So, I will probably have to buy a new passport now :-(

Please update if you recieve yours back!

Thanks

Intastella

Cheeky swine! That holiday could have been booked a year in advance for all he knew! :mad:

Keep on at them...i'd be worried about it being stolen and sold on, i'm sure i saw something similar reported a while back...