Stopping child tax credit?

sassypie

Hi, this is a query for a friend. She and her partner have 1 child who has just turned 5, they haven't received the usual (well, any) child tax credit. Is this only for children under 5? they wondered if it had been stopped after her 5th birthday. Also they're homeschooling, don't know that this shouild affect it???

Many thanks, not able to check post v often so forgive me if I seem to ignore any replies.

Valli

do you mean child benefit or tax credits.
And have they EVER received ANY?
Child benefit has to be applied for and will stop at 16. Child tax credit also has to be applied for.
try HERE

sassypie

Thanks for the link, valli.

They've been receiving child tax credit, and the expected next payment didn't arrive (with no warning that it would be stopping).

They've not applied for child benefit.

System

They need to call TCO and ask if there is a problem with their claim - 0845 300 3900.

codwidow

Dont you have to recieve child benefit to get child tax credit

karenx

sassypie wrote: »

Thanks for the link, valli.

They've been receiving child tax credit, and the expected next payment didn't arrive (with no warning that it would be stopping).

They've not applied for child benefit.

If they dont get child benefit then they wont of been getting child tax credits.
You need to apply for child benefit when the child is born and then apply for child tax credits. And they will check that the child is registered. Otherwise if no child benefit is being paid then they arent entitled to child tax credits.

I think you may have gotten some info wrong. Ask your friend again what they currently get, amounts and how often.

[Deleted User]

You DO NOT need to claim child benefit to receive child tax credits but you will be asked to provide the child's birth certificate.

mossy

Child tax credits do not stop at the age of 5 years, normally they'd be paid till the child is 16 or over depending on circumstances. Neither does Child benefit although that's not what your question was about.

Home schooling makes no difference to receiving the tax credits.

I would suggest as Pam17 said that they call the tax credit peeps. I know if people do not confirm their final income figures each year when they are sent their annual review form the HMRC will stop tax credits. They'll reinstate them once the relevant paperwork is up to date and income figures confirmed.

It may be that either your friends have forgotten to fill out a review and somehow missed the reminder letters requesting the info.

Or alternatively there could have been some error at the Tax credit end (not unlikely or surprising).

Hope that helps and they are able to sort it out.

[Deleted User]

My guess would be that they have an overpayment and they are entitled to just the basic family element of tax credits.

If this is the case they wont have any payments until the overpayment has cleared.

Checking their most recent award notice will likely give them the information they require. If it doesn't or they can't find it, they should call the tax credit helpline to find out why there's no payment.

Valli

what I missed earlier is that it is the time of year when payments change - mine just has so, as has been suggrsted they need to check their awards notice...might save the stress of a phone call!

sassypie

Many thanks to all who replied, I've forwarded this to my friends, goodness only knows what the tax credit lot are up to, but its no joke suddenly finding yourself loads of money down each week. So this can only help.

Thank God for MSE'ers!

sas