Tax Credits Review Childcare Costs - are yours right? Letter

Emmamumof2

I had a letter from TC Review Team in September last year asking me to update my details (check they are all correct etc) from TC Review Team, I phoned and updated and since them have phoned and updated again with slightly higher income estimate (SE) and lower childcrae costs. I have this morning had a letter saying Childcare Costs - Are your right? Giving me the opportunity to call them and amend any details - it says " We are writing to you to give you the opportunity to make sure your claim is right before we start our checks" . the childcare costs originally were double what they are now as we tried for a month or so to get more work - putting youngest in nursery for 3 1/2 days - reducing to 2 a month later when I phoned and told them of reduced costs -

Have they taken into account the reduction in costs? I dont think £70 pw is expensive for child care when I work full time and husband works PT after losing job - does anyone else?

Is this just a check we are updating regularly or will it lead to full blown compliance check? I really dont want the hassle and I would prefer to get nothing in all honesty than have the hassle - anyone else had any of these letters?

Thansk in advance - these things always come on a Saturday and cant phone Plymouth until Monday 8-5pm - 01752 209708!!!

Emmamumof2

Can anyone help?

DaisyFlower

If you have declared the correct figures and work hours then you have nothing to fear even if they do a full compliance check, not sure why you would stop claiming rather than complete the check.

They are giving you the chance to ensure you have declared correctly before they do further checks, they may ask you for receipts to match the childcare payment or they may simply go straight to the childcare provider to check the amounts claimed match the amounts paid. I know our after school club has had random checks before.

Emmamumof2

Yes I realise that its just frustrating when they send letters and you cant sort it out on teh day- they can call my childcare nursery easily I just wondered why they didnt do that to start - I will contact them Monday but sometimes you wonder if its worth the trouble for a bit of extra cash.

Emmamumof2

I have called and he said they were just checking everyone up to date...